It may appear that Affirmative Action gives minorities an advantage over the majority, but does it really? If you look at it on an individual basis it may seem as if it is unfair. Proponents of Affirmative Action would have you believe that if you were to view it in terms of the entire society you would clearly see that minorities are underrepresented in most areas in our society and something needs to be done to make it right.

White people today also feel the effects of racial discrimination. They contend that employers are in fact discriminating against white applicants on the basis of race. However, if equal representation of minority groups is to be achieved, employers must take race into account when hiring. In "Affirmative Discrimination", Lino Graglia points out: "Title VII [of the Civil Rights Act] required, not that employment decisions be made without regard to race, but that they not be made without regard to race." Opponents of affirmative action proclaim that whites are experiencing "reverse discrimination." They feel they are carrying the burden of the historical wrongful acts of others. Without argument, those who object to affirmative action agree that blacks have been subjected to decades of slavery and then decades of segregation and discrimination. Yet they ask, "But why me? I didn't own slaves..."

Using discrimination to end discrimination is an obvious contradiction. Racial discrimination has a tight grip on American society. Blacks and whites alike concede that it is still rampant despite Affirmative Action's attempts to alleviate it. Affirmative action programs were established to fight racial discrimination. That need is still here today because affirmative action has not achieved its purpose. Affirmative action is an imperfect solution to the problem of racism, however, it is important to recognize that affirmative action has contributed greatly to the diversification of schools and businesses. It has played a big part in making America far richer in opportunity for minority groups than it was three decades ago. If it could be utilized as originally intended, people of different genders, races, and ethnicity would be treated as equals in the American workplace. Affirmative action has helped more minorities and women to attend institutions of higher education and obtain better jobs but has failed to reach the goal of alleviating racial discrimination. But that is not to say that America is not headed in the right direction. Justice Harry Blackmun said it best: "In order to get beyond racism we must first take account of race. There is no other way. And in order to treat someone equally, we must first treat them differently."

What is the role of our Government after all? The Declaration of Independence states, "That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" The role of Government is to protect the rights of men, and Affirmative Action is a method that the Government can and should use to protect the rights of the minorities to ensure that they are able to fully participate in society.

Although some minorities may score lower on standardized tests. Affirmative Action can take into account the fact that minorities usually get a sub par education. Would this be giving minorities an unfair advantage or would it be giving minorities a fair chance? Minority students would remain subject to the same grade requirements when they get into the school. They just need to be given a fair chance to get into the school.

e action" was first used in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. He signed Executive Order 10925 that stated, "the contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during their employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin" Lyndon B. Johnson also felt that programs we

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