You can find many young college students complaining, arguing, and debating the topic of affirmative action. Some wonder why we still use it and if it’s still necessary. Others wonder if affirmative action was what got them into school. Depending on where we grew up, some like to think that discrimination doesn’t happen anymore and argue that affirmative action was supposed to be temporary. Some groups look at the issue on a larger scale and argue that discrimination still impacts minority groups all over the country. What do YOU think? Do we still need affirmative action?
If you are wondering where you stand on this issue or if you are someone who has or is greatly impacted by affirmative action, there are a number of things you can do to get more involved in the issue. The most important suggestion I can make would be to EDUCATE YOURSELF! There are many individuals out there arguing and debating about affirmative action when they don’t even know the facts. Some useful resources are the links found on this blog. They discuss events in history that made affirmative action necessary in our society, court rulings on specific cases, current debates, among other helpful information. Just understanding the issue can help you to decide what side of the argument you stand on. To be educated on the issue, you are more able to spread awareness about affirmative action, the problems it causes, and how it helps certain people. If you feel something needs to be done to change affirmative action or to fight to keep it, educating yourself on the topic will prepare you for opinions in voting, debates, protests, the passing of laws or acts, among other political events that can change our system.
Another important way to get involved is to recognize is the common everyday behavior that contributes to racial/gender inequalities. Whenever anyone says anything degrading to women or racial minorities, regardless of the seriousness in their voice, it subconsciously shapes the way others view minorities. So next time, maybe hold back on a joke or correct others when you hear them say something offensive. We must remember that every little thing counts and by simply changing the way we say things or what we say, maybe one day we can achieve true equality.
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