Column: Liberally Speaking; Affirmative action is taking the right steps, Even though at first glance policies seem discriminatory
Affirmative action: Two simple words that cause massive amounts of controversy on university campuses everywhere. The mere mention of affirmative action sparks a debate. There are many political issues out there today, but none is more applicable to students than that of affirmative action.
Affirmative action is a system aimed to increase educational and employment opportunities among minorities.
It seems everyone has their own opinion on the issue of affirmative action. USU’s College Republicans made their opinion clear a few weeks ago in The Statesman. They defined affirmative action as a system that is creating racial discrimination rather than eliminating it. While I rarely agree with the College Republicans, I considered this to be a valid point.
Isn’t affirmative action a part of civil rights, and aren’t civil rights supposed to reduce discrimination? But how can a system that chooses an individual over another based on race alone reduce discrimination? Affirmative action seems like the definition of discrimination, I mean aren’t we striving for a society that doesn’t see race in any issue? On the other hand, these minorities are at a disadvantage, and shouldn’t something be done to level the playing field?
My older brother attends the University of Virginia, and is graduating in May. While I always argue that Utah State is just as good as any college in the nation, my brother’s institution has something that USU doesn’t. Significant amounts of diversity. Everywhere you turn you see someone who is unlike yourself. Diversity is critical in eliminating racism, and interacting with students of differentiating race and ethnicity promotes understanding. Surrounding ourselves with people who share our every belief and our every custom creates barriers. Affirmative action is working toward creating diversity in schools and in the work place, which in turn, promotes sensitivity and understanding.
Minorities are at a disadvantage in our society, and affirmative action is one of the few systems that give the less fortunate a chance. And while some minorities have all the resources as the average white male, it is clear that, as a whole, there is still an un-level playing filed. Affirmative action is a system that is giving minorities the opportunity to succeed in a society that tells them they can’t.
And while at its basic form affirmative action creates discrimination, at a deeper level, affirmative action is taking steps in the right direction – steps that are necessary in eliminating the discrimination that plagues our society.
Comments and questions can be sent to adamstrong@cc.usu.edu.