Legal & Ethical Business Decisions- need 2 responses with min. 250 words. APA style with references

Below is a discussion question for the week and a students response. I need to respond to the student's response with at least 250 words in APA format with references.

Using the articles in the chapter discussing affirmative action what do you believe to be the primary moral wrong committed by discrimination (appeal to the moral theories that have been discussed in the articles and in class to support your position)? What do you see to be the primary moral justifications in favor of affirmative action (again appeal to moral theories to support your position)? Based upon your position do you believe that affirmative action is justified? Why, or why not?

Response:

The primary moral justification in favor of affirmative action is Utiliatrianism. This basically states that one should “do whatever will do the most good” (Source 1. Over the last 60 years in this country there have been many changes to the traditional laws and thinking that was once the standard perception in which people believed. Gay rights, marijuana usage, sexism and racism still remain large topics which need to be addressed and then readdressed in order to keep laws current and fair. Focusing on the most serious topics often provides less attention to others and Affirmative Action though an older regulation needs to be readdressed. Right now affirmative action requires employers to hire without regard to race, religion, national origin and gender.

In the position I now have my boss openly told me that he was afraid to hire me because of my race and that there had been no other minorities employed by the company before. I could understand his concern to an extent but was also astonished that there were still places that did not seem to follow the law. I had been in the military all of my life and an Equal Opportunity Leader and usually was promoted based on my merit. It made me wonder when I was hired how many people unknowingly are discriminated against for employment. I also was very prepared to make a difference in the minds of my employer and other employees. Affirmative Action has also been extended to education as well, as it should be. I believe as long as there are people with different values, morals and upbringing affirmative action will be necessary. Even in the military there were countless classes I gave and complaints handled regarding this. Many Soldiers before entering the military had never lived or worked in a diverse setting. Due to these issues and more unreasonable ones I feel Affirmative Action is important, but the stigma attached to its true meaning must be reversed. In such a small and competitive job market, affirmative action is more important than ever and it is even easier than ever for people to be discriminated against despite their qualifications.