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Originally Posted by politicophile
Not so, sir. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that, If I am unable to offer alternatives to affirmative action, then I support the institutionalized racism that currently exists. Nothing could be further from the truth. However, in my continuing quest to find a substitute to affirmative action, I have been unable to answer the following critical question. Are you able to shed some light on it for me?
Question: What is the purpose of affirmative action?
If we are not able to answer this question with a straight-forward response (The purpose of affirmative action is [X, Y, Z, blah blah]), then not only will I not be able to come up with a viable alternative to "aa", but any justifications you have for the program's continued existence will inevitibly fail.
This is a question for everyone out there, so please feel free to respond!
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The purposes of AA as I see them:
1. To help counteract the ingrained racism/sexism that exists/has existed in many workplaces and colleges by enabling minorities/women access to those institutions. This in turn leads to
2. Helping correct the economic imbalance that is suffered by many minorities/women due to being denied free access to economic opportunities for approx. 300 years (for blacks) and 250 years (for women).
They are largely intertwined. Because white males had around a 200 year head start, even in areas where there isn't current racism the effects are gravely felt. In many ways, poverty is now seen as part of black culture. Also, because for so many years blacks weren't allowed to make their own way, it has become difficult for them to do so now.
AA isn't an answer for racism, but it is something that helps mitigate the effects of racism. It's not an antibiotic, but a painkiller. It's also why I don't take seriously people who argue against racism on the terms of it being discriminatory. These people aren't arguing against discrimination, they are arguing against being discriminated against and no longer being sole beneficiaries of discrimination.