Running Head: AFFIRMITIVE ACTION
Affirmative Action: Promoting Inequality in America
Ian Hower
English 104-A
Dr. Showler
April 25, 2013
Running Head: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Abstract
The termination of affirmative action is necessary because it causes reverse
discrimination, leads students and employees to be ill equipped for their expected tasks,
and degrades the minorities’ true achievement. Reverse discrimination, or the
discrimination against a dominant or majority group, is a major consequence of
affirmative action. However, affirmative action is also a disadvantage for the minorities
because it often leads students and employees to be unprepared for their responsibilities.
Although affirmative action was established to help minorities overcome obstacles in
society it actually diminishes any true achievement an individual may attain. Still, many
argue that affirmative action is necessary as a tool to even the playing field in American
society today. While some of these claims may hold some validity, they do not meet the
test of constitutionality of the policy. The ability to work with a more cultured group
people with new ideas does not override the unlawfulness of the policy. Although the
original purpose – giving each American an equal opportunity – was admirable, it is not
just in modern American society.
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Running Head: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Affirmative Action: Promoting Inequality in America
“Affirmative action debates bring out highly charged emotions because the main issues
call into question the fundamental values of our society, such as equality, fairness, and
justice” (Kim p.1).
In this passage from the article entitled, “From Bakke to Grutter: Rearticulating
Diversity and affirmative action in Higher Education ” from the academic journal,
Multicultural Perspectives, Colorado State University researcher Joon Kim (2005)
discusses the topic of affirmative action, specifically, its historical significance. Like
Kim, famous author, columnist, and film maker, Shelby Steele (2009) discusses a similar
topic, but goes into depth about how affirmative action is no longer necessary in the
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