Affirmative Action.....yay or nay?

icantbejon · 06-04-2009, 09:48 AM

I know this is can be a fairly touchy subject but I'm just curious as to how people feel about it. I am not looking for any racist, sexist nonsense here. I prefer the more educated (aka adult) type of conversation. Personally, I've always been a supporter (to an extent) of the plan. I believe that a system has to be in place to help those in needy positions to truly help themselves get ahead. For example, a poor black female student with solid grades from a crap part of town and a lousy school deserves a shot at getting into a college. We should be able to help that individual.

That being said, I hate when I hear about people getting passed over for a job based on a quota. Companies should be able to hire the best PERSON for the job, that is what our capitalist society is about.

Mod's, if this is inappropriate feel free to delete. Not sure if it crosses the line into political stuff.

AAlmeter · 06-04-2009, 02:41 PM

Merit, and merit only.

In my opinion, the many efforts to eliminate the -isms in our world have only backfired. If the goal is (and its a big IF) to achieve equality, the best way is to let people assimilate and discover that race, sex, creed, etc really have no bearing on a person's abilities or worth. But when you artificially inflate one side's abilities or worth based solely on superficial qualities, it tends to swing the pendulum in the opposite direction.

EDIT: Who would ever guess that Archie would be the only one to touch this thread?

SSatVT · 06-04-2009, 02:47 PM

I guess I would have to say that I was for it when it was created (before my time), but in its current state in the Unites States I am almost completely against it.

I know of and have read of many people being turned down for jobs/higher education because they did not meet the demographic criteria, but their professional portfolio was either in-line or above the mean being accepted.

In a professional sense it should be completely about your background and how you conduct yourself; not what skin color or religion you are.

So basically I say NAY. I think affirmative action should no longer be present in the US and that it should continue to be illegal to discriminate against races, sexes, and religion in a professional setting (employment, education, housing, and economics).

That is about as far as I can take my view without getting political.

massphatness · 06-04-2009, 02:52 PM

Affirmative Action is a political policy, no?

This thread's title treads gray waters. Without arguing or objecting to the merits of the OP, my gut tells me the subject matter here is going to end up being problematic.
Posted via Mobile Device

icehog3 · 06-04-2009, 03:00 PM

Yup...basically a political debate, not allowed here. Sorry guys.

06-04-2009, 09:48 AM	#1
icantbejon Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jon Location: Chester, VA Posts: 1,219 Trading: (10)	Affirmative Action.....yay or nay? I know this is can be a fairly touchy subject but I'm just curious as to how people feel about it. I am not looking for any racist, sexist nonsense here. I prefer the more educated (aka adult) type of conversation. Personally, I've always been a supporter (to an extent) of the plan. I believe that a system has to be in place to help those in needy positions to truly help themselves get ahead. For example, a poor black female student with solid grades from a crap part of town and a lousy school deserves a shot at getting into a college. We should be able to help that individual. That being said, I hate when I hear about people getting passed over for a job based on a quota. Companies should be able to hire the best PERSON for the job, that is what our capitalist society is about. Mod's, if this is inappropriate feel free to delete. Not sure if it crosses the line into political stuff. __________________ "Learn to pay attention. Life is hard.....it's even more challenging when you're stupid."

06-04-2009, 02:41 PM	#2
AAlmeter F.U.B.O. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Adam Location: Buffalo Posts: 288 Trading: (0)	Re: Affirmative Action.....yay or nay? Merit, and merit only. In my opinion, the many efforts to eliminate the -isms in our world have only backfired. If the goal is (and its a big IF) to achieve equality, the best way is to let people assimilate and discover that race, sex, creed, etc really have no bearing on a person's abilities or worth. But when you artificially inflate one side's abilities or worth based solely on superficial qualities, it tends to swing the pendulum in the opposite direction. EDIT: Who would ever guess that Archie would be the only one to touch this thread?

06-04-2009, 02:47 PM	#3
SSatVT Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Seth Location: Triad, NC Posts: 102 Trading: (2)	Re: Affirmative Action.....yay or nay? I guess I would have to say that I was for it when it was created (before my time), but in its current state in the Unites States I am almost completely against it. I know of and have read of many people being turned down for jobs/higher education because they did not meet the demographic criteria, but their professional portfolio was either in-line or above the mean being accepted. In a professional sense it should be completely about your background and how you conduct yourself; not what skin color or religion you are. So basically I say NAY. I think affirmative action should no longer be present in the US and that it should continue to be illegal to discriminate against races, sexes, and religion in a professional setting (employment, education, housing, and economics). That is about as far as I can take my view without getting political. __________________

06-04-2009, 02:52 PM	#4
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,688 Trading: (206)	Re: Affirmative Action.....yay or nay? Affirmative Action is a political policy, no? This thread's title treads gray waters. Without arguing or objecting to the merits of the OP, my gut tells me the subject matter here is going to end up being problematic. Posted via Mobile Device

06-04-2009, 03:00 PM	#5
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 70,583 Trading: (60)	Re: Affirmative Action.....yay or nay? Yup...basically a political debate, not allowed here. Sorry guys. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!