Affirmative Action Creates Unfair Playing Field essays

Affirmative Action Creates Unfair Playing Field essays Affirmative action is a controversial topic in society among all races and genders, and is a topic of dispute in almost all aspects of life, in work environments, in colleges and universities around the nation. Affirmative action attempts to put and end to discrimination but the policy also creates discrimination. It is praised for making universities and places of work more diverse and cultural, while others who feel discriminated against and who feel that they are not being viewed on the same scale as other employees and or students of a different race curse it. Affirmative action is a contradicting and hypocritical policy. The policy is outdated and should be taken out of effect in all aspects of society, especially colleges and places of employment. Being accepted to college or receiving a employment position should be reserved for those most qualified, regardless of their race or ethnicity. In 1964 when affirmative action was first put into place, it was intended to assist African Americans who had been fighting for civil rights. It helped African Americans receive equal employment opportunity.(Froomkin, Washington Post) At this time the policy was very much needed. Blacks had been freed from slavery over a hundred years earlier but still faced many forms of racism and were unable to receive equal opportunity. Affirmative action was a policy that was able to address this oppression. The Executive Order stated that companies that wish to bid on federal contracts must follow the guidelines set by affirmative action and keep a required a number of minorities employed.(Philbrook) Affirmative actions initial intentions were set up to help those on need, but affirmative action has now evolved into a system of meeting quotas. Affirmative action in the working environment discriminates against majorities and leaves qualified employees out in the cold because of their background and color of skin. If two applicants were app...

To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee essays

To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee essays To kill a Mockingbird, an acclaimed novel, by Harper Lee is recognised throughout the world. Having read her novel, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960 soon after its publication, I was compelled to consider the novel in greater depth but was particularly intrigued to examine the character of Atticus Finch as a hero. Maycomb, a fictional town in the Southern States of America plays host to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird follows a lawyer and his family prior to and during a legal case to defend a black male, Tom Robinson, charged of raping a white female, Mayella Ewell. This occurs in a very white orientated town. Atticus Finch, Attorney and father of two children only plays a brief part in the opening chapter but as this epic novel progresses so does his importance. It becomes apparent that Atticus Finch, arguably the novels main character, is extremely well respected in Maycomb by the majority of its residents. If someone expresses a dislike towards him he will still try to do his best to love everybody. Atticus is a man of extreme integrity and some say that it is through his mouth that Harper Lee expresses her own morality, an opinion that I share. He represents a true gentleman; his conduct is always courteous despite any provocation whether privately or publicly. This is enhanced by the very carefully selected word choice. Atticus is able to use language stylishly when appropriate but he can also communicate very simplistically such as when in a moment of crisis he can talk straightforwardly, for example to Jem and Scout, to enhance understanding. Atticus is a devoted family man; he manages to care for his children without the help of their mother, who died. Harper Lee gives Atticus a very modern style regarding parenting (in comparison to other families in the 1930s i.e. principally he was a single parent). This could perh...