Dear Editor, The purpose of affirmative
action in the United States was to create government programs to overcome
the effects of past societal discrimination by allocating jobs and resources
to members of specific groups, such as minorities and women.
There is no
question that past societal discrimination occurred in the United States and
perhaps the only appropriate remedy {at the time} was affirmative action.
However, I believe this policy has outlived its purpose. Anywhere you look
in the United States, minorities are well represented. Besides, there is a
limit to punishing people for the sins of their forefathers.
It is unfair
to award preference based on race when all other qualifications are equal.
This not only undermines the means to determining the best candidates but
also serves to de-legitimize the accomplishments of someone who was given
preference based on race.
Those opposed to affirmative action look to
section one of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United
States.
I believe the minorities of this country have been given enough time to
allow for the "cream to rise to the top" and now must take their equal
position along side of the majority.
The time is long overdue to stop
rewarding underachieving individuals because of their race and start
rewarding overachieving individuals because of their accomplishments.
To do otherwise, would mean denying the very principles set forth in the
Fourteenth Amendment.
Respectfully, Joe Bialek From Cleveland, OH.
