Affirmative Action Is An Inalienable Right

by Dionicio L. Rodriguez

"All men are created equal...to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men...War is needed" "All men are created equal...to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men...Affirmative Action is needed"
-VS-

In addressing the issue of affirmative action, President Clinton reminds us of the principles employed by our founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence that formed a moral basis of fairness and equality in this country, "...that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" . Their reasons for declaring war on the King of Britain are very similar to the reasons minorities argue for affirmative action today.

  • Refusal to assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

    Such is the case when a minority is denied economic opportunity to better him/herself without explicit affirmative action laws. Employers today still favor non-minority employees over minority employees of equal status simply out of preference. This "buddy system", despite equal-opportunity advertisements, is a form of blatant discrimination against minority groups. In addition, allowing minorities the opportunity to financially secure their livelyhood, gives society a better stereotype of the minority populations than the historical one which often has negative connotations attached to it. Finally, the public good may benefit from the diversity the minority groups add to society.

  • Refusal to pass laws for the accommodation of large districts of people.

    Such is the case when minorities are "redlined" without the appropriate measures in place to secure the proper representation. In other words, without affirmative action's educational programs in place to produce a competative represatational candidate, minorities are unequally stripped of a voice in this country's legislative, and hence structural institutions.

  • Refusal of state's population, to obstruct the laws for naturalization of foreigners.

    Such is the case when minorities are denied the right to be a part of this free country because the quota has been met. Moreover, legislation is presently being drafted to deny all immigrants public assistance, which is hardly in accordance with the "freedom and equality for all" slogan this country preaches.

    President Clinton clarifies the intentions of affirmative action with his speech in stating that even though affirmative action does not include everyone, it ultimately "...is an effort to develop a systematic approach to open the doors of...opportunities to qualified individuals who...have experienced longstanding and persistent discrimination."

  • What rational called for an affirmative action program to be instituted?
  • Why do women need affirmative action?
  • How do the affirmative action myths affect the minority's fight for fair treatment?


    Any comments? Suggestions? Send mail to: dio@cs.utexas.edu