Affirmative Action: One Step Closer to the Finish Line

The gun sounds and the race begins. A race between all to the finish line
that encompasses renewed understanding and economic equity. A race
between black america and white america. A race that America has run
time and time again, and neither race has triumphed: both whites and
blacks failing to obtain broadened perspectives and to produce an
economically equitable society. How can we rid of the white boys ingrained
assumptions? How can we push black youth into a life of economic stability?
Race-based Affirmative Action may be the answer.
First, let us reflect on juxtaposed realities: the different metaphorical races
black and white citizens have run in America. For the greater part of the
20th century, more than 50% of the black population was impoverished as
opposed to the 16% of whites impoverished--a clear, substantial difference.
But we must realize that blacks were not less capable--they were not
running any slower than whites--but they did face obstacles whites did not
face: blacks were not granted the opportunity to make something of
themselves. Because of segregation laws, blacks could not be schooled with
whites in colleges. Many black students were left with an inadequate
education and therefore limited opportunity. Think about it: can one expect
to attain any sort of economic success without a sound higher education?
Yet, in 1961 something changed: obstacles disappeared and both blacks and
whites had a chance to reach the finish line that ever seemed so distant.
The Executive Order of President John F. Kennedy implemented race-based
Affirmative Action. This policy forced college admissions to not only
consider an applicant's merits, but also his race. After Affirmative Action
was enacted, black americas and white america's path to the finish line
became more clear.
Campuses were invigorated with racial diversity. Why is this beneficial? In a
study on diversity, students competed to find accurate answers to problems.
Results showed that students who were in racially diverse classrooms were
50% more accurate than students in racially uniform classrooms. This
insight reveals that a diverse academic environment allows students to
work collaboratively, enhancing their academic performance. By working
collaboratively, blacks and whites have the opportunity recognize the
validity of perspectives different from their own. Hence, race-based
Affirmative Action grants blacks and whites the opportunity to develop
multifaceted perspectives by understanding people different than they--a
push toward the finish line.
Also, black america moved further out of poverty and closer to an
economically equitable society. As demonstrated by the U.S. National Center

for Education Services, from 1990 to 2006 the Bachelor Degrees of blacks
increased from 90,000 to 200,000 while the percent of blacks impoverished
decreased from 60% to 41.2%. In fact, since race-based Affirmative Action
was implemented in 1961, the difference in percent of whites impoverished
and the percent of blacks impoverished has decreased by 20%. Yes, many
other factors are involved in determining ones economic status, but
wouldnt it be ignorant to not recognize the correlation of these statistics?
This evidence proves that blacks ability to indulge in higher education
propels black america toward greater economic stability, producing a more
economically equitable society--a further push toward the finish line.
Yet, naysayers argue that race-based Affirmative Action perpetuates the
discrimination it sought to rid of, as it is based on race. These opponents
say that students should instead be judged based on their academic and
personal qualifications, not their race. Yet, they fail to realize that this
process is highly individualized. While considering race, this process by
definition considers the commitment to education of every black applicant.
Hence, this race-based, but individualized process actually grants
admissions to individuals who show a dedication to learning, not those
looking for an easy way out.
Nonetheless, some would still argue that racial backgrounds should not be
considered. In 2011, United States Census Bureau reports showed that the
average income of black households was $32,000 while the average for
white households was $55,000. Black unemployment was 13.6% while
white unemployment was 6.4%; finally, 41.2% of black families were
impoverished. And you want to tell me race shouldnt be considered? Race
must be considered. Race-based Affirmative Action relieves the obstacles in
blacks path, allowing them to reach the finish line. And this victory equates
a step toward the finish line of economic equitability for our society.
But the question still remains: in a society where there is a black president,
is race-based Affirmative Action still necessary? Last year, 27% of blacks in
America were impoverished while 10% of whites were impoverished.
Yes, race-based Affirmative Action has propelled whites and blacks closer to
the finish line that houses complex perspectives, as white and black youth
can now learn each other's perspectives at collegiate institutions. But, racebased Affirmative Action--although alleviating many obstacles--is still
needed to propel society to the same finish line that also defines economic
equitability; a finish line that was once so distant and is now right on our
fingertips.