Currently, many universities in the United States use affirmative action in their admission process. Affirmative action means the considerations of race and ethnicity in the holistic evaluation of applicants. The practice allows universities to diversify their student body by recruiting more students from underrepresented backgrounds. Affirmative action serves as a remedy for systemic inequality. A “color-blind” admission policy does not reflect fairness, considering the systemic hurdles for many minority students. Black and brown students often come from underfunded school districts with limited resources, due to the legacy of segregation and discriminatory policies in the country. [1] Studies have shown that standardized testing, an essential criterion in college admissions, poses a particular disadvantage to minority students. Furthermore, students from marginalized and low-income backgrounds likely have less time and opportunities for extracurricular activities. [2] These disadvantages call for a mechanism like affirmative action to even the playing field for these groups. Diversity in higher education institutions benefits not only the targeted students but also the institutions themselves. Many institutions have argued that diversity represents an educational advantage in itself. Students with more awareness of other groups may learn from each other and obtain a better education. In a decision in November 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the educational value of a diverse student body. The decision serves as a ruling for a challenge against Harvard University for its use of affirmative action. For these reasons, higher education institutions in the United States should adopt affirmative action in their admissions. [1]. Maxwell, Connor, and Sara Garcia. 2019. "5 Reasons To Support Affirmative Action In College Admissions". Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/news/2019/10/01/471085/5-reasons-support-affirmative-action-college-admissions/. [2]. Augustin, Stanley. 2018. "Harvard’S Affirmative Action Case And The Case For Diversity In Higher Education". Blog. Lawyer’S Committee For Civil Rights Under Law. https://www.lawyerscommittee.org/harvards-affirmative-action-case-and-the-case-for-diversity-in-higher-education/?gclid=CjwKCAiAouD_BRBIEiwALhJH6Ho-o5pSCrhaS2ztua6HPs2Xiueo6b1QJ4GyGGB1qqEuqwUk0LQVixoCl8oQAvD_BwE. [3]. Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. 2020, 19-2005. United States Court of Appeals For the First Circuit.

As much as it is important to advocate for equal opportunities, implementation of affirmative action should be carefully considered within universities Affirmative action does not serve as a remedy for systematic inequality and instead works to further institutionalise racial stereotypes. Suggesting race is the dominant factor in admission and hiring procedures destroys the concept of meritocracy, and with regards to college admissions, it is unfair to judge applicants on anything other than their merits. By introducing the factor of race into decision making, you hereby bring into consideration factors which are beyond the applicants control. In many cases, affirmative action reinforces stereotypes and racism. Suggesting that all members of a minority race maintain the same socio-economic background is entirely untrue. With the possibility of further exacerbating inequalities, affirmative action can potentially assist racial minority individuals from more privileged backgrounds gain admissions while neglecting those of lower classes. It is therefore necessary to consider the benefits of dismantling state sponsored racism by advocating against the implementation of affirmative action.

People must take their chance in the free market. Previous generation did.

You mean treat people differently based on the colour of their skin? Nope, that is defo not good, plus it is practically already happening.

Until we stop treating people differently, whether it be positive or negative, based on the colour of their skin, then racial division and discrimination will be present in society. It is a very simple concept and I’m completely baffled as to why humanity can’t accept it. We need to take a step away from our religious, historical, emotional and familial experiences and beliefs to see situations like this in it’s clear true reality. Of course we have cultural differences, we always will. But to truly overcome racial issues within society we need to let go of those things holding us back and see each other for what we really are. We are more than a colour, we are more than where we come from. We need to stop clinging to hate, and progress to a society where everything is based on character and merit. It must be emphasised that this message is applicable to all races. All people. We are one, so let’s act like it. Let’s stop gatekeeping who’s allowed to have an opinion on what based on skin color. Who’s better than who based on skin color. We call our society civilised and progressive but we are far from it. If we are to label ourselves we must act upon it. Let’s not be satisfied with just getting by. Unite, don’t fight.

Affirmative action is allowing certain people into university based on the colour of their skin at the exclusion of others. If that's not racist, I don't know what is

People should always, always be treated as individuals, in jobs, in schools and anything else. What is the benefit of quotas? I work in the tech industry and my company says they hope to increase their female staff from 30% to 35% in the next few years. How are they going to do that if not discriminating against men at some point in the recruitment stage or just firing men for being men? Whether someone is male or female, black or white, fat or thin, bald or Bigfoot should not matter. Are left-wingers really now on the side of discrimination?