Affirmative action demands minorities and women be given special consideration in employment, education and contracting decisions. It's purpose is to "level the playing field" by granting advantages to minorities and women. For example, an admissions officer faced with two similarly qualified applicants is to choose the minority over the white, or for a manager to recruit and hire a woman for a job instead of a man. In my opinion, this concept is the opposite of what is stated in the Declaration of Independence;

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."

I do not support affirmative action as it currently operates. I am, however, in favor of a 'class based' operation of affirmative action. I agree with helping those among us in need of educational and employment assistance through various education programs and financial help. However, providing this assistance should be selective. I do not believe it is right to automatically provide assistance to someone because they are a minority or female. The assistance should depend on the situation itself. Affirmative action, as it currently operates, does NOT "level the playing field." It DOES foster ongoing feelings of seperation. For example, if two candidates are being reviewed for admission to a university, are similar in every way, EXCEPT skin color, the minority will be granted that position over the 'white person.' Isn't that the exact opposite of the intention of affirmative action?

The African-American community is among those that automatically receives assistance in many areas in the name of Affirmative Action. Why is that? Are we to assume that African-Americans automatically need assistance BECAUSE they are African-American? That's prejudice. That is assuming they are incapable of doing things for themselves. If history has taught us anything, it's that treating any group of people differently (in a positive or negative manner) is wrong and only leads to problems. I cited the Declaration of Independence to point out that we all have rights. However, with rights come responsibilities. Everyone has the right to achieve their goals. These can include securing a decent education and career. The responsibility lies in the individual to work hard to achieve their goals. No one has the right to force others to achieve their goals for them.

Creating a 'class based' affirmative action would take away the race prejudice that exists in the current system. In a class based operation, financial assistance and consideration would be given to those in need regardless of color. Any person who finds themselves in an economically depressed situation wishing to achieve a better education, a better career, a better life, can be assisted. It is just as possible for a Caucasian to be in such a situation as an African-American, Native-American, or any other minority. Let us not assume that because someone is a minority, they are in desperate need of assistance. If someone has a goal, hard work and maybe a helping hand can achieve that goal. Inequality has terrible consequences and the current affirmative action program is the epitome of inequality.

sensibleone03@hotmail.com

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