Recently, a large number of (letters) have been written about the subject of affirmative action. The question of whether or not it is still beneficial to society is being debated.
It seems to me, and I don't mean to generalize, that most of the opposition comes from white people, and most minorities still strongly favor it. Whites claim that it is reverse discrimination, and that they are now being treated unfairly. From looking at my name, my race and my sex may be rather unclear, and I would like to leave it that way. It shouldn't be an issue. It appears that in a couple of these previous (letters), cheap shots have been taken at the other authors, and that affirmative action is not even the topic; rather, destroying the opinions of the other people is at the forefront of the argument. This is wrong. This behavior is hurtful, and only increases anger and hatred towards each other and towards other races. This, in my opinion, proves emphatically that society is far from fair, equal and kind. Although I am not as learned on this topic as I should wish to be, it seems as simple as this: affirmative action is designed to create equality, and as long as inequality exists, so too must affirmative action. Many people argue that American society no longer favors any particular race or sex. People are entitled to their opinions, and someone's opinion cannot be "wrong." It can, however, be misguided. I live in one of the most segregated cities in the northeast (Buffalo), and I live in one of the most segregated neighborhoods in that city. Unfortunately, this segregation didn't just happen by accident, and it hasn't persisted by accident, either. America is in no way equal. This should not be as hard to see, as it seems to be. Children are raised by their parents, and those parents were raised by their parents, and in this way, views are passed on from generation to generation. This is no excuse for intolerant behavior by any means, but it is certainly clear how prejudices endure.
In closing, I wish to add a bit of advice that has been overlooked. If you are one of those people who feel that a school or an employer because of affirmative action has rejected them, you are probably white. Although I too understand hardship and the struggles of being poor, white Americans are still privileged. White people still run America. By blaming someone else or a policy that you believe you have no control over, you have already given up. I suggest you try harder than the next person, and you will get whatever it is that you desire.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
