For instance, if a white female and a black female are both equally qualified for a job, affirmative action policies favor the black applicant, do they not?
125854
in the past white people have had the edge regardless of their qualifications.  now, however, white people who may be more qualified than their minority competition may be losing out.  it happens and anyone who says it doesnt is wrong.  things should be equal and the government should stop overcompensating for the past.
7700
The only way a law can level the playing field for a class of people is if it does not exsist.  \n\nIt sucks that people have inherint biases but the fact is that we all have them.  I am white and married a white woman.  I prefer white women.  All of my black friends married black women.  They prefer black women.  We (the human race) are prejudicial by nature.  Unfortunately, no law wil ever fix this. \n\nTo answer your question......No, I do not beleive in affirmative action.  Instead, I beleive that minorities that are under-represented in certain occupations need to try harder to make themselves valuable in those positions.  In most cases that means they will have to learn to properly speak the english language.
322511
Not while the government institutions make distinctions between the races and give preferences based on racial differences.\n\nThis means affirmative action, quotas, set-asides, lowering of college entrance requirements, etc.\n\nEvery action of government that differentiates between races keeps racial divisions alive.
374550
Hopefully it'll be the most qualified person, no matter what gender or ethnicity they are.\n\nHowever, given America's past, I'd probably bet on a woman before a minority, and that's sad.  Most of America has come around to equality for women and are getting used to seeing them in lots of jobs they couldn't get before...but racism still runs deep, and in some places is severe.  We've a way to go before we overcome that entirely.
452175
Yes, minorities get special treatment. Just like you'd be racist if you decided to start a United White College Fund. It is complete garbage. If it is racist to go one way, it is racist to go the other. Eliminatae race from the equation entirely and just have a United People College Fund!!!!!!!!
576868
Affirmative Action was originally set up to help minorities get into college, get jobs, etc.
506377
It is a racist policy that enables someone to benefit off the color of their skin.\n2. It benefits minorities and women.\n3. We have lost fair hiring practices to it.\n4. It effects everyone because one day you could be passed over for a job simply because they have a quota of ethnicity to hire. It basically promotes racism and in equality. It is just another pathetic way to keep racism alive. People are not inferior based on the color of their skin or their sexual gender. Affirmative action reinforces centuries old beliefs that here in America, the white skin of the male is praised by all.
81610
There is a such thing as "race". It is a way to identify yourself, so you can be categorize for no necessary reason.  You can be White (race) and be Russian, Swedish, Polish, Jewish (ethnicity), but your race is still White. Just like you be can Black, and be Haitian, African, Jamaican.  Affirmative action intentions in the beginning were not the same as it is used today.  Is it still necessary? YES!!! because jobs are not available to everyone equally, despite experience. It's not just a way to help Blacks or Hispanics, it helps women too. However, it has its faults and setbacks, and should be improved upon.
385683
You are probably thinking of Affirmative Action:\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirmative_action_in_the_United_States
267005
I don't disagree with you that obviously we have a socioeconomic gap that goes across the races.  However, because race has been a very sensitive issue in this country, even after the abolition of slavery, it is a problem that we have to deal with.  Also, to some extent, there IS a correlation between race and socioeconomic status, as on the whole, White people are still considerably better off than their Black, Latino, and Native American counterparts.  So affirmative action is supposed to not only create a more balance playing field, but also bring about more diversity in the workplace and schools.
528918
it basically means that if there is two qualified people trying for a new job but one is white and the other is not(black, hispanic...)the one that is not white will get it.\ni'm against it. if there two qualified people then first come first served. or who has more experience.
82701
If by equal rights you mean one group had a chance to be discriminated against, now the other group has that same chance, then sure.  If you mean the same rights to all people regardless of race, color or creed, then no.
664452
Check with EEOC for the current rules.  Decades ago it was felt that asking for age, race, religious or ethnic background or gender was prima facia evidence of an intent to discriminate in employment.  A photograph obviously is indicative of age, race, gender and sometimes religious or ethnic background.  \n\nWhile the law is complex, medical schools may still have the right to decide to admit students so as to have an entering class with a certain gender and racial mix.  E.g. a medical school may want to have a male/female ratio close to 50/50; or have a minimum percentage of Native Americans, or Blacks.  A photograph would be useful in deciding which category an applicant would be put in by an observer -- which might be different from the category the applicant might claim.
56675
As to your first question- those wanting more power or status are more likely to conform. Thosse with power don't conform, they use their power to change the laws/ ways to suit their needs.\n\nFor number two: I'd say based on merit. Affirmative action can cause "reverse discrimination" where you have the possibility of having less-meritorious workers.
206937
That is a hard question.  In an ideal world there would be no racism, therefore no need for Affirmative Action.  But I don't have to tell you that the world is far from ideal.  By the question I'm assuming you view Affirmative Action as reverse descrimination.\n\nIf you could tell me that nobody is judged by race anymore and back it up I would tell you that I agree and would be for removing Affirmative Action.  Seeing that you cannot do that, there needs to be a check in place to ensure a balance stays in place.  It's called checks and balances.  Just because a check is in place, it doesn't mean that there is always someone trying to get around it, it means that in case someone does try, there is a means to catch it.\n\nAffirmative is a way to prevent preferential treatment of the masses over the minority, not the cause of it.  Flawed logic like yours has erupted in many instances such as the topic of legalizing drugs, it's only a problem because it's illegal.  What they don't consider is the consequences as a result of such an action.  There would no longer be illegal activity, but there would then be an increase of "legal" drug abuse and distribution, not lessening the problem, simply re-labeling it and inadvertently promoting it.\n\nThe same can be applied to Affirmative Action.  If it were to be removed, there would be nothing in place to catch those who would attempt to bypass minority candidates who are qualified and with no way to catch it, or prevent it, it will be free to run rampant again.\n\nDon't fear it, it is a safeguard for those who need protection, are you offended when your bank put up surveillance cameras?  No, it made your bank that much more secure, it wasn't meant to call you a thief.
569771
Affirmative action is not here to "pay back" previous discrimination but to prevent current discrimination.  Whether it exists or not in large amounts (there will always be at least one person in America who is racist and in a position of power) is somewhat difficult to determine to say the least.\n\nSome would argue that racists whites established themselves in positions of power early in this country's history and do everything they can to make sure racist whites stay in power, so even now they are at the top and affirmative action is there only to ensure a more equal chance for minorities.  Others argue the point of affirmative action was to equalize it out and now that it has been in place for many years it has done its job and it is now time to quit before it equalizes "too much."  \n\nI'm not sure myself if it is right (I'm Hispanic), especially since I don't like it being attributed to affirmative action when I get a decent job.  But I have seen it happen already too many times that I did lose a job because somebody felt I should go back to Mexico (I was born in the United States and I'm around 6th generation in from my Mexican ancestry, 3 generations in from my European ancestry, and native from my Native American ancestry).  I think it is helpful and needed but I do understand why whites (especially the males) would feel it unfair.  Sometimes they lose the job even when more qualified because of it.
57447
Under the federal law they are not REQUIRED to hire a certain number of women, but rather their workforce must be representative of the community in which it is based.  There is still some legal debate over what that REALLY means.