Aaron Shannon

MC# 543

Issue 1: Is Affirmative Action Still Necessary?

The major thesis for continuing affirmative action today is that the situation would be worse
without it. Blacks and other minorities have benefited from affirmative action and will continue to do so
as long as the program continues.
One of the main arguments for why such policy is still necessary is because blacks still have less
opportunity, largely related to real estate properties. Blacks are persuaded to move into neighborhoods
with large black populations, but they are not told about the lack of economic development and the lack
in financing for schools and other services. These neighborhoods often consist of poor black families
which remain poor from the lack of opportunity. In addition, these real estate policies create segregated
schools since blacks are encouraged to move into neighborhoods with large black populations, and
whites are encouraged to move into neighborhoods with large white populations. This lack of diversity
negatively impacts the opportunities available for blacks.
A second main argument for the effectiveness of affirmative action is suggested by history. The
traditional achievement gaps between white and black students has experienced a reduction, and
businesses have benefited from more diverse workforces. Both of these facts are the result of
affirmative action being applied by schools in their admissions and businesses in their hiring. Without
affirmative action, the gaps would remain wide and the workforces would lack diversity.
The major thesis for ending affirmative action is the evidence from studies reveals the program
is no longer needed as it has run its course and accomplished its purpose.
The first main argument is simply the election of President Obama proves affirmative action is
no longer necessary. If Obama and other black men can rise to high positions, what further need is there
for affirmative action? The program, therefore, puts whites at a disadvantage and results in reverse
discrimination.

Aaron Shannon
MC# 543
A second argument is the fact that the black middle and upper class has grown, successfully
attended colleges and universities, and they have been hired by businesses. The black middle and upper
class has risen from about 25% to around 40%. In comparison, the white middle and upper class has
risen from about 50% to around 60%. The blacks have risen 15% and the whites 10%. Studies show the
number of blacks in the top 50 colleges and universities in the United States has doubled in the last few
decades. There has been major progress and society has changed so much over the recent decades,
therefore, affirmative action is no longer necessary for today.
I believe affirmative action has largely finished its course, therefore, the program should be
phased out. Affirmative action does not solve the root causes of the problem, but only treats the
symptoms. Electra Fulbright says [w]hen we talk about Obama, we are not talking about the average
black American. There is injustice in this country, and until we correct it, we need affirmative action.
Notice she says we need affirmative action until we correct the injustice. In other words, affirmative
action does not correct the injustice, but the program is used in the meantime, until we can find a way
to correct the problem. Affirmative action, therefore, treats the symptoms but does not solve the root
causes. As mentioned earlier, a major problem is the black and white neighborhoods and the resulting
segregated schools. This problem needs to be addressed. Instead of encouraging blacks to move into
black neighborhoods and whites to move into white neighborhoods, real estate agents should focus on
building diverse neighborhoods. Perhaps the government can pass laws which would help diversify
neighborhoods. Requiring universities and businesses to seek out black people in black neighborhoods
may help counter the negative effects of the segregated neighborhoods, but it is much better to go after
the root cause, which is the lack of diversity in neighborhoods, than to treat the symptoms by showing
blacks preferential treatment. If we can diversify neighborhoods and schools, then we are one step
closer to no longer needing affirmative action.

Aaron Shannon
MC# 543
One obvious problem is how affirmative action seems to benefit the black middle and upper
class, but not the poor, lower class. Perhaps this is due to the widespread segregation in neighborhoods.
I doubt most of the middle and upper class blacks live in the same neighborhoods as the poor blacks, so
there seems to be a correlation between success and the type of neighborhood one lives. Affirmative
action should not be mostly about race or gender, but more about economic status, however,
affirmative action itself is not the best solution. Programs should be put in place to help poor people,
blacks and whites, to have access to better opportunities. We need to influence their conditions to
promote success. If affirmative action is not helping the poor blacks, then it seems discrimination by
schools and businesses is not the root cause these days. We need to change our focus. It is not about
discrimination so much, rather, it is about economic status and real estate practices. Treating symptoms
usually results in creating new symptoms, but successfully solving the root causes removes symptoms all
together.

Aaron Shannon
MC# 543

Work Cited
Rao, P. (2013). Issue 1: Is Affirmative Action Still Necessary? In Taking sides (p. 9). New York: McGrawHill.