Why Affirmative Action?
Affirmative Action is an equal opportunity measure that allows
race and gender to be considered for decisions on hiring, promotion, public
contracting and public school enrollment.
*It is not a quota system. The U.S. Supreme Court has already outlawed setting
a fixed number or "quota" for hiring or school enrollment (1978
Bakke decision).
*It is not reverse discrimination. Affirmative action programs are
designed to ensure fair criteria for all applicants. Currently, 86% of available
jobs are not advertised-they are filled by wod-of-mouth. Since white men
still own and manage most U.S. businesses, they tend to know and hire other
white male applicants. Affirmative action creates a level playing field,
so some may not receive the advantage they are used to having. Not receiving
a privilege and preference is not discrimination.
*It is a sensible remedyfor addressing current discrimination against
people of color and women. It allows goals and timetables to address racial
and gender disparities.
*It is a door-opener for people who would otherwise be shut out of good
schools, government contracts, and public jobs (such as bus drivers, postal
workers, police officers, and firefighters). *It is not a system
for hiring unqualified people. No affirmative action programs require anyone
to accept substandard or unqualified applicants. These programs actually
expand the pool of qualified applicants who might otherwise not know about
the opening nor be provided an equal shot at being accepted.
*It is not a remedy for past discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court
has ruled that affirmative action programs can only be used to fix current
discrimination. A public agency can start a program only if it can be statistically
proven that the agency has engaged in discriminatory practices. Its program
must be narrowly tailored, with a time limit, for that agency to correct
its own practices (1988 Croson decision). Unfortunately, discrimination
continues to be widespread. White men make up 96% of CEOs, 85% of
tenured professors, 89% of U.S. Senators, and 100% of all U.S. presidents.
People of color and women get the lowest paying and least desirable jobs
and have much higher poverty and unemployment levels than white men.
CALIFORNIANS FOR JUSTICE 1611 Telegraph Ave. #206, Oakland,
CA 94612 (510) 452-2728
