Saturday, June 29, 2013

A634.4.4.RB - Shuck, Allison

Is Affirmative Action Ethical

The question has been asked, is affirmative action ethical? The answer to that question, we must define what affirmative action is. Affirmative action is the process of securing racial diversity within educational institutions, organizations and government associations. Affirmative Action was created to help prevent discriminations against minorities, females, and/or persons with disabilities. Many people believe that affirmative action as a good thing, but is it really?

According to Burns & Schapper (2008) Affirmative Action confirms that the racial and gender biases of the past are still present today. However, I feel that the table has turned. What once use to be common is no longer common anymore. Let me explain! In the past, blacks, both males and females as well as, white females did not have very many rights, so by default most privileges were given to white males. However, that is not the case today. If a white male and a black female apply for the same job, both that of which are qualified, the job will most likely be given to the black female. Why you might ask, because black females are the minority.

So my question to you is, is affirmative action morally ethical? In the world today, many people believe that affirmative action really stand for ‘reverse discrimination’. Do you?  I personally think it does. I think that is wrong for any educational institution, organization or government association to discriminated or grant favoritism to one person over another based on his or her race or gender. We all claim to believe in equality and justice for all, but we neglect to live by that standard for.

Reference
Burns, P., & Schapper, J. (2008). The ethical case for affirmative action. Journal of Business Ethics, 83(3), 369-379. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9625-8

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