Using
Chapter 5 and 6 of The Practice of Ethics (LaFollette, 2007) as the foundation
for determining if affirmative action is ethical or unethical, it is my
standpoint and opinion that affirmative action is ethical. LaFollette describes
affirmative action as “the practice of giving special consideration to
minorities and women in hiring and school placement” (LaFollette, 2007). It is
my understanding from USlegal.com that affirmative action is only mandatory in
the public sector such as jobs with the city or federal employment, but the
private sector has the option of voluntarily adopting the policy (Affirmative
Action Law & Legal Definition, n.d.).
Reflecting
on the definition and information above, it is my opinion that at the moment
when the country was suffering of racism in the employment sector, the government
did make the correct action of implementing such policy. The implementation of
affirmative action did ultimately open the doors to equal employment and school
placement opportunities to women and minorities who prior to the implementation
of such policy suffered of unequal and unfair practices and opportunities of
employment. In other words, the government tried to make amends for the years
of unfair treatment by giving women and minorities the opportunity to excel in
society. According to Bill Shaw, “Affirmative action, although not the ‘perfect
solution,’ is by far the most viable method of redressing the effects of past
discrimination” (Shaw, 1988).
There
are many other arguments for and against affirmative action. The first argument
for affirmative action is mentioned above, the equal opportunity of employment
and school placement to women and minorities. With this argument it can be said
that the equal opportunity of employment can help those affected by racism
increase their self-esteem causing them to believe in themselves more. This can
have many other emotional effects that help those affected overcome the many
years of slavery and unfair treatment. Another argument for affirmative action
is that it gives those groups affected by slavery and unfair treatment the
opportunity to have the same educational and economical benefits that for many
years white families benefited from.
Arguments
against affirmative action have been made in the basis of reverse racism. Some
students in the discussion board of this week mentioned that it is an unfair
burden to continue implementing affirmative action when they have not engaged
in any racist or unfair treatment against other races. With this argument the
possible solution would be for all employers to withdraw the question of race
from applications. In other words, prospective new employees will only qualify
for the employment based on their merits, achievements, experience, and
education. Others argue that it is unfair and even racist to continue giving an
unfair advantage to minority races when it has been years since any slavery or
racists acts have been done. Meaning, the new generations should not have to
suffer for the mistakes of their past ancestors. Estergall argues that “not all
minority companies that are hired are qualified to do the work; they are there
simply there to fill a quota” (Estergall, 2000).
Overall,
everyone has his or her own personal and societal opinions of affirmative
action. It is our duty to educate ourselves on these issues in order to come up
with ethical solutions, actions, or opinions of the affirmative action policy.
After reading the chapter and articles on affirmative action, I have to say
that I do think it is unfair for the new generation to continue paying for past
mistakes. However, until the government or society creates a different method
of making sure that everyone is gains a fair, ethical treatment and
opportunities for employment and education, the affirmative action should stay
in place. As Shaw mentioned it, affirmative action is not perfect but it has
helped the minority gain a fair opportunity that others have had for many years
(Shaw, 1988).
Reference:
Affirmative Action Law &
Legal Definition. (n.d.). Affirmative Action Law & Legal Definition.
Retrieved June 27, 2014, from http://definitions.uslegal.com/a/affirmative-action/
Estergall, G. (2000). Affirmative
Action is Reverse Racism. The Plain dealer (Cleveland, Ohio: 1961), 8.B.
LaFollette, H. (2007). The
practice of ethics. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Publishing
Shaw, B. (1988). Affirmative
action: An ethical evaluation. Journal of Business Ethics, 7(10), 763.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/docview/198015382?accountid=27203
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