Affirmative Action by Candy Kim
Many people will clearly agree that Affirmative Action has made major changes since the idea was first introduced to our Nation. However, we must ask ourselves, is Affirmative Action a wise decision for our future?
There are many great reasons why Affirmative Action should be implemented. If there weren’t, it simply wouldn’t exist today. I must agree that Affirmative Action has aided greatly in diversifying our culture and allowing people from various walks of life to realize their full potentials. This is a great vision, and I agree that we must keep this dream alive. Especially in light of the recent tragedy of terrorist attacks that have befallen our Country, it is more important than ever, if not crucial, that we as a Nation be able to realize our full potentials and unite our strengths to support and maintain the foundations that hold this Country together.
Which is why I am beginning to question the methods of Affirmative Action. What is the true intention behind Affirmative Action? What does it seek to accomplish within our Society? What do we imagine that Affirmative Action will do for us? I believe that the ultimate goal of Affirmative Action is to help rid ourselves of widespread discrimination and prejudice. I believe that Affirmative Action was meant to create opportunity for embracing our differences so that we could learn to grow together as a Nation. I believe in the dream that our children *”will one day live in a Nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
If there is such a thing as one Truth, then there are an infinite number of ways at arriving at that Truth. In the same manner, if there is such a thing as one Goal, then there are various methods of successfully attaining that Goal. Let me begin my argument by clarifying that I am not an enemy of Justice. I am not here to try to undo what great thinkers have already done for this great Country. I am simply here to perhaps shed some light on the road that we are traveling in order to better discern where the bumps and dips are, so that we may avoid these pitfalls in our journey to becoming a Nation of Liberty and Justice for All.
I believe that the certain methods of Affirmative Action which include unequal treatment of non-minority members, will have unhealthy consequences in the future. If a person has a broken arm, does one normally abstain from utilizing the other healthy arm as well? The broken arm can be seen as persons with unrealized potentials due to unfair discrimination and prejudice. The otherwise healthy arm then, may be seen as those persons unaffected by traditional discrimination. Is it truly wise to starve and deprive ourselves of the strength of the good arm while the broken arm is mending? Surely not, we would become even more handicapped and become too vulnerable to adequately serve and protect our needs for survival. This is regressive behavior and not at all practical.
White men alike have fought alongside the Black man in the battlefield to fight Injustice and Racism. I had thought that we had already overcome those particular barriers of ignorance. How could we, as the future generation, blaspheme the vision of our fathers by suddenly acknowledging the validity of skin color? To judge a person based on their race, sex, religion, handicap or financial background degrades us because it does not acknowledge the core of who we are.
It is one thing to hold the parent accountable for the actions of a child, but it is quite another to blame the child for the mistakes of an adult. If we continue in these acts which future generations of non-minorities may consider “unfair treatment”, we are not building foundations of trust and brotherhood among our children. Every child of this Country should be given the opportunity and support to realize their dreams and be allowed to live by the standards set for all mankind by our forefathers of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Instead of hacking away at the leaves, I propose that we tackle the problem at its roots. We should be focusing our attention on providing adequate support for individuals so that they can have the satisfaction of achieving their own dreams. If behind every great man, there is a great woman, let us be excellent supporters of a great man instead of depriving him of his dignity. Instead of a strategy to prevent the growth of non-minority talent and skill, let us use our energy to nurture and support the growth of our minority strengths. Think of it this way, instead of losing a daughter, we should be looking forward to gaining a son. Let us love deeply and not just skim the surface of the waters.
A ‘Race of People’ is determined not by skin color, ethnic background, or religion, but is defined by culture. Let our culture be one of understanding, forgiveness and brotherhood. Let our heritage be one of hard-work, inner-strength and discipline. Let us leave a legacy of love, hope and courage for our future. Although America is yet young, we are the beginning of a ‘Race of People.’ We are not African-Americans. We are not Caucasian-Americans. We are not Asian-Americans. We are not Latin-Americans. We are not Native-Americans. We are simply, Americans.
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