Another issue I take with this is the chronic problem that many are facing once they’ve skipped the line- they’re not up to par, and they drop out. This interferes with their future, and the future of the person they skipped, who was more qualified. It has been shown that often times, due to affirmative action, an applicant might try out for a school that is more advanced than they’re used to, simply because they can. It comes down to this student, and one who has been prepped for such a demanding environment. So naturally, they choose the less qualified student, because the quota must be filled. They enter this institution, and burn out quickly. The demands prove to be too much for them. Now, they must start all over. The person skipped over still loses their chance. It has also been shown that those that affirmative action was meant to aid (those in poorer areas) aren’t really being served to begin with. At least not where it counts. Often times, minorities who receive a skip the line pass weren’t less fortunate to begin with. They have been born to prominent families, and have not been turned down at every turn. I’ve read about this, and it makes sense. Unlike those who apply just because they can, there are legitimate cases where those qualified, who happen to be minorities are given the spot despite not needing the helping hand. We are no longer living in the middle of the 20th century. Everyone has an equal opportunity. Though, it is true racism still persists. Which leads me into my next point.
There is no denying that racism still exists. However, it is no longer the norm. There was a time, not too long ago when segregation was commonplace. Slavery had ended, but separation of colors was an everyday occurrence. However, enough people protested, and made their voices heard- this was not civil. This was cruel. There were hangings in the south, beatings in the big cities. Whites received a solid education, while blacks had ceilings on what they could achieve. Then one day, it was over. It took some time for integration to become all right in the eyes of those who were used to the old, archaic way of life, but over time, and after a generation or two, it was no longer questioned. The racism that still exists is based on how some families, who live in the dark ages perceive reality. It’s also based on the race war that was created after segregation was repealed. The anger that many blacks felt ended up being passed down to the next generations. Just like the older white generations of racists, the older black generations were distrustful, angry, hurt. Many have the mentality that something is owed to them for all of the hatred imposed on their families so many years ago. And many racists of other ethnicities feed off that anger, and use it as an excuse to remain racist. Neither side is doing anyone any favors. The point is that now the racists are in the minority. The concern of not getting ahead due to racism is not a valid argument any longer. It’s like refusing leave your home because you might get mugged. Your neighborhood used to be a bad one. We take risks every day, but you have to look at the facts.
Women also benefit from affirmative action.
Clarence Thomas made this argument for opposing affirmative action nearly two decades ago. Nevertheless, affirmative action is not a problem as much for letting poorly credentialed students into college, but letting students with few skills come out, and this happens way too frequently since almost all schools let relatively low-skilled students graduate.
Posit that everything the critics say about Sotomayor is true; that indeed, everything they say about affirmative action is true. Is this the biggest problem facing America? Is this the biggest problem facing America from Sonia Sotomayor?
Thomas’s opposition to affirmative action is not new, but it has been called into question by some who argue that he was the beneficiary of a subtler form of affirmative action , specifically noting that he did not necessarily have the typical resumé of a Supreme Court justice when he was nominated.