(2) Diversity Questions to Answer With (4) Peer Reviews
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SOCW1Discussion.docxAnswer Question
Week Discussion
You are asked to give a speech to a group of influential business leaders, university presidents, and political figures.
The speech is entitled "A New Vision for Diversity," and in it, you will address the key issue of affirmative action, policies related to it, and acceptable goals for such policies. For the class, write a summary of this speech, focusing mainly on the goals for your new vision for diversity and why those goals are of vital importance.
Peer Review 1:
Trisha:
Hello ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to speak to you all about Affirmation action and why it is important. Let me first explain what Affirmation action is. Affirmative action is “when there are benefits of a diverse workplace and this set of public policies and initiatives designed to help eliminate past and present discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin” (Sowell, 2004). Affirmative action is constantly used by schools, businesses, etc. Because affirmative action protects women of all races, disabled veterans of all races, physical and mentally handicapped of all races, people on welfare, etc. This protects anyone who falls in any type of group that once was historically politically or socially discriminated against. This gives people with certain backgrounds access to opportunity. The con side of Affirmative action is that it can be reverse racism. Some people believe that this was created to get minorities to catch up socially and economically after racism/discrimination riots happened. There was good intentions when it was created but some people didn’t see it that way and it became reverse racism. It is great that it gives minorities opportunity but it is also negative because some companies are hiring individuals that do not have experience or qualified in the field, compared to someone who does. Everyone has their views on Affirmative action but it is reality and it should be used without offending others, wither they are Caucasian or a person of color. Give opportunity to other people but do not discriminate.
Sowell, Thomas, 2004, Affirmative Action Around the World: An Empirical Study, New Haven,
Connecticut: Yale University Press. [Reviewed by Carl Cohen in Commentary, 117 : 73–
76, and by Bernard Boxill in Ethics & International Affairs, 18: 114–
115).
Peer Review 2:
DAlfonso:
This great nation was built on the backs of people of different backgrounds. These individuals may differ in their culture, background, or language, but have contributed to the success of this nation. As the current political nature continues to divide this nation, we must thank affirmative action for its increase in diversity. Affirmative action was “designed to correct past practices of discrimination against racial minorities, women, the disabled, and other historically disadvantaged groups” (Mervin, 2018). This policy is the reason why the United States continues to progress in equal rights and representation. These policies have expanded to ensure diversity and inclusion within the workforce as it holds managers accountable, supports work arrangements, recruits diverse candidates, provides leadership inclusion, and creates positions that play a role in increasing diversity within all institutions in the United States. This policy helps those with less accumulative advantage through mandatory inclusion. Affirmative action stops those who consistently try to oppress and prohibit the voice of those who are less fortunate. The University of California, Davis has, “16 out of 100 places were reserved for minority students, mainly blacks, Chicanos, and Asian‐Americans” (Mervin, 2018). This reservation allows minorities who are usually overlooked, a chance to be represented. One can only hope that with this mandatory inclusion, we continue to solve problems that help everyone, not just the few. Affirmative action continues to be one of the few policies that continues to defend the constitutional rights of every minority in the United States. One can only hope that we continue its effort.
