Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action: Is it opportunity that is equal for all?

According to Webster’s II New Dictionary, the definition of affirmative action is: “A policy seeking to redress past discrimination by ensuring equal opportunity” , but does the course of action as outlined in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 truly ensure equal opportunity for all suffers of past discriminations in today’s society? How far in the past do we go from which to set a standard by: a day, a week, months, years? What are the criteria used for measuring equality and how are those conditions determined? Can an opportunity for equality for all truly be found?
If one is to debate the merits and shortcomings of affirmative action, a full picture of the origins of this controversial plan may be in order. The article “Not Color Blind: Just Blind” by Marshall and Katzenbach, which endorses the continuation of affirmative action policies, states that the first use of the term “affirmative action” can be ...