Why do people not understand that affirmative action is a form of racism?

Any policy that uses Race as a deciding factor IS RACISM. No matter who it benefits it is racism. The only way to be fair to all is give the position to the best person. Not the best person of the right color or sex or religion.

People don't understand that affirmative action is a form of racism because too many people have these ideas that they are being helpful. Then on the other hand you have extreme right wingers who think priveledge should be inherited instead of worked for. What really makes it racist though: Minorities should be offended as well! How would it feel to know you got a job, promotion or scholarship based solely on your ethnic background?

Such as if a college only has one spot left, and they take a black student who is less qualified <<<

thats messed up :(

i'm with mo. It was needed at one point...but not anymore

You are correct. Just for an example........at the University of Michigan, they denied millions of A+ students, the smartest and brightest to allow more "minorities". In fact, if you didn't have some type of "minority" in your genes, you were more likely denied entrance. This has happened to MILLIONS of Michiganders, some that I personally know. Here in Michigan, we, the voters, voted to reverse the affirmative action laws pertaining to such racism. That is what it was, only this time it was racism against none minorities.

I think maybe even most who support AA understand it is a form of racism.

Some think the end justifies the means.

Others think it is a well deserved payback.

Still others are blind and ignorant and have no clue one way or the other.

Because they are so glued to the idea that we need to "repay" an entire group of people for the wrongdoings of our ancestors over 140 years ago. It's beyond ridiculous, it's insane.

We liberated the slaves; we gave them equal opportunities; we let them vote. They are on an equal playing field as everyone else. What more do they want?

I'm a Democrat.

To michelob86: if it's so "hard" for blacks to become equal, then why do we have a half-black front-runner candidate running for president?

let's say i have two students one black and one white applying for a job. the white boy has been privileged his whole life. he's had the best schools, the best teachers, the best technology, and the best support to his academic success. overall he's a 3.9 GPA with a 1900 on his sat's. and his daddy is a grad from the ivy league school where he wants to go to. the families knows the dean of admission and are willing to make a financial donation to support the school. not bad.

black student. his life has been the complete opposite. he's had poor upbringing, poor schooling, no academic support. he's had to deal with problems and obstacles that most teenagers shouldn't have to face. yet his scores are the same. GPA at 3.9 and 1900 on his sat's.

guess who i would pick?

the point is that affirmative action take a affirmative approach to an invisible but yet true reality that we live with today.... inequalities based on race and class!!!!!!

I think that affirmative action is how Michelle Obama got her education. Yes it is racist. How can the white americans be encouraged to do their best, when a less deserving black can get scholorships, jobs, etc in front of them. Blacks should have to be worthy on something more than their skin color.

Perhaps, but it helps to even out the odds of minorities to have opportunities.

I would take it you aren't a minority (white male). You have no idea how much more of a hurdle a minority has to overcome to even get a shot at trying to be equal.

I'm a white male, and if I lose out on something because of a affirmative action system, so be it. I'll have other opportunities, much more than most minorities do.

Is it fair, no. But it is JUSTICE. That's what is important.

To Bryan: Half-black? Nice catagorizing. Dr. Mengele would be proud. You answered your own question.

All the thumbs down. We have a loooong way to go.

Yes, it is now, it opened the door for reverse discrimination...I can't understand why people say they want to be treated equally yet they use a program that definitely tells you are not!