Affirmative Action in California: Has It Outlived Its Purpose? Essay

Affirmative Action In California: Has It Outlived Its Purpose? INTRODUCTION In the past, most California public agencies believed that affirmative action was an effective tool in the fight to correct discrimination. The main intent of affirmative action was to protect women, minorities and handicap individuals from discrimination (Hill, 1998,1). Affirmative action has been used in areas such as public employment, education and contracts. But today, some public agencies are questioning the meaning of affirmative action. The opponents of affirmative action believe that it encourages preferential hiring practices and reverse discrimination. They have also taken a strong stance towards the elimination of affirmative action through the California Civil Rights Initiative – Proposition 209 (http://www.ca.gov.). The supporters of affirmative action, however, still maintain that it is needed to prevent artificial barriers in the treatment of workers and hiring and admission practices (http://www.co.la.ca.us.). Even though Proposition 209 was passed by Californ ia voters, this has not discouraged professional organizations such as Americans United for Affirmative Action (http://www.auaa.org) and the American Association for Affirmative Action (http://www.affirmativeaction.org) who are still committed to educating the public on the importance of affirmative action. The concept of affirmative action has always been and continues to be a very controversial topic. This paper will focus on the positive and negative viewpoints of affirmative action as well as the future of its existence. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: ORIGIN AND MEANING. The existence of discriminatory behavior against minorities was the leading force in the creation of the ... ...ve action, it has not stopped professional organizations such as the AUAA and the AAAA from informing the public about the past success and importance of affirmative action. It is not clear whether affirmative action will continue to be a part of the fight against discrimination in the United States. It is clear however, that affirmative action will continue to be highly debated issue for many more years. Bibliography Larson, Richard and McDonald, Laughlin (1980). "The Rights of Racial Minorities" Affirmative action. Avon Books: 82-89. Goldman, Alan (1977). (Affirmative action." In Marshall Cohen, ed., Equality and preferential treatment. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 192-209. Hill, John (1998). "County of Los Angeles position on the California Civil Rights Initiative" Memo to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, 1-5.