In Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign speech, his stance on affirmative action was "mend it, not end it." These gives the impression that it is a positive, progressive idea that helps the minorities of our country further their education and have more successful careers. Affirmative action "refers to policies and programs that directly or indirectly give preference to designated groups in awarding jobs and government contracts or granting admission to universities and professional schools... to make up for past discrimination and allow them to catch up to groups not held back by such barriers." This is "legal" discrimination. The Constitution states that no person shall be denied anything because of factors that they cannot control. A person cannot control what race or gender they are, and a teenager cannot control which economic background they hail from; therefore, how is it permitted without a fight that a deciding factor in college acceptance or job promotion is a persons skin color? Supporters look at this

as attempting to integrate minorities into higher level jobs, or by giving them a head start to a good future; critics point out this major fact, affirmative action is fighting racism with more racism.

playing field", to let minorities who did not have the same opportunities as others "catch up". At this point in time, everyone has the same opportunities. Public education is available to everyone. Welfare helps people get back on their feet. Financial aid and loans help students further their education. There are no more excuses for why affirmative action is still used. The playing field is as level as it will ever be, and it is time for each person to come up to bat for themselves, and to stop having to worry about whether or not the color of their skin or how much money they make will determine important aspects of their future.

There have been many instances when affirmative action has been used as a deciding factor in college admissions and job dismissal. Every time this has been used, and then the person on the receiving end has pursued this i

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 718
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)