Affirmative action is a very delicate and complex piece of a multi-cultural puzzle. There states that continue to use affirmative action policies and others that have eradicated their programs both claiming victory in the name of true equality.
Encyclopedia Britannica (2020) defines Affirmative action, in the United States, as "an active effort to improve employment or educational opportunities for members of minority groups and for women". Affirmative action is meant to remedy centuries of social, racial, and economic oppression. After reading the Harvard Admissions Lawsuit and several corresponding articles, I am undecided on if it is ethical. While reading Chapter 5 and 6 (LaFollette, 2007), I mentally compared affirmative action to preparing for a race. Say two individuals were to participate in a long-distance race (or any sport). Let's imagine Runner 1 has never trained for a run/race, he has never seen a track and does not have proper running gear. Whereas Runner 2 has been prepped by trainers, physicians and coaches. Runner 2 has the privilege and opportunity to research and buy the best running shoes and gear. Additionally, Runner 2 has been training for months or years for this race. Obviously, Runner 1 is at an immediate disadvantage. I see affirmative action as giving Runner 1 a place at the starting line with the right gear and maybe a map. It does not guarantee his success, but at least provides more of an opportunity than he had previously. Ethicist Richard Wasserstrom states, "These programs justifiably do care about the race of applicants because such programs can and do play a constructive role in helping to dismantle the stubbornly entrenched system of unjust, black, racial disadvantage that is all too shamefully still operative in the United States today" (Santa Clara University, 1992). This simplistic comparison would lead one to believe Affirmative action is ethical.
Affirmative action was meant to help give equal opportunity to minorities, but it is now causing a mismatch between people and opportunities. "Racial preference policies do not account for the complexities of poverty nor issues of self-confidence once on campus in an entirely different community from the one they came from." (Upcounsel, n.d.) Despite giving minorities a place at the starting line, affirmative action does not account for or excuse the disadvantage that has already occurred. Shelby Steele, a scholar known nationally for his articulate opposition to affirmative action argues, "After 25 years of affirmative action, black Americans have declined on almost every socioeconomic measure. What we need is development!" (Santa Clara University, 1992). In this context, affirmative action is condoning the fact that African Americans (or any minority) were not afforded the same opportunities growing up as most. Rather than fixing the root cause, these policies are simply putting a "band-aid" on the situation and suggesting they are fixing the problem.
As I look at the pros and cons of affirmative action, I am still not able to answer the question if affirmative action is ethical. On one hand I believe it is ethical because it allows people who were mistreated for years a stepping stool to a better life. On the other hand, that stepping stool may have a wobbly leg and be putting individuals at more of a disadvantage than intended. Yes, racism does exist and may never be completely eradicated, but we are continuing to improve as a society. I believe one way to continue improving is by having these discussions and critical thinking exercises.
References:Lafollette, H. (2007). The practice of ethics. Malden, Mass: Blackwell.
Santa Clara University. (1992). The Ethics of Affirmative Action. Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://www.scu.edu/mcae/publications/iie/v5n2/action.html
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020, May 18). Affirmative action. Retrieved June 26, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/affirmative-action
Upcounsel. (n.d.). Affirmative Action Laws: Everything You Need to Know. Retrieved June 26, 2020, from https://www.upcounsel.com/affirmative-action-laws
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