Affirmative Action: Why It is Necessary in America

We need affirmative action in America, and I am glad that we do have it. Some people may believe that we once needed it, but that it is no longer necessary because there is less discrimination. It is true that discrimination has decreased, but it has not disappeared. Minorities are still suffering injustices. Women still do not earn as much as men and many companies do not like to hire them. Black people, as well as other minorities, still have a much higher unemployment rate then White people. Society has oppressed Black people more than any other minority in America. Although other minorities have not had an easy time or pleasant history, many of them chose to come to America. People did not force them as slaves. Even after slavery was over, Black Americans had to fight for the civil rights that many take for granted. Through reading Hunger of Memory with Richard Rodriguez’s views on affirmative action, I have chosen to disagree with him and support affirmative action.

Hunger of Memory is an autobiographical novel by Richard Rodriguez; it focuses on his schooling. He tells of growing up Mexican in America (specifically California); he knew very little English and the language stood out to him. He was very observant of its sounds while he was new to the language. His family was Roman Catholic; therefore, they sent him to a Roman Catholic school which is where his journey began. He did not just learn English; he became fluent in it and lost his Spanish accent and knowledge of his native language. With his newfound knowledge, he separated himself from his family and culture. As he grew up, he isolated himself and constantly read books. He dealt with some internal struggles as well. His complexion, at times, made him uncomfortable. Children teased him occasionally because he was dark-skinned; he could not relate with anyone. He felt ugly (124-125). Nevertheless, Richard Rodriguez grew into a very educated man with strong views. He is against bilingual education as well as affirmative action.

To a qualified white man who is beaten out of a job by a female or minority, affirmative action may seem completely wrong, even ludicrous. I would tell him to look at the whole picture or at least the other person’s point of view. Most of the times he (the white man) can easily find a job at the company down the street or the store around the corner. He does not need a special program to get a chance at a job, receive a promotion, earn a higher salary, or be accepted into school among other things. Affirmative action does not guarantee an easy life or a free ride, but it gets your foot in the door. It is an opportunity to get what is deserved.

Although he was opposed to it, Richard Rodriguez benefited from the affirmative action program. When he applied for positions as a teaching assistant, grants, or fellowships, he usually got them. This was because he filled in the space indicating his race (143). Affirmative action seemed to embarrass Rodriguez, and he felt unworthy of the benefits he received from it. With those feelings, I do not feel that he is in the majority of minorities and females who are grateful for opportunities received because of affirmative action. They do not think less of themselves; they feel empowered. Without affirmative action, many would not be where they are today. We should be thankful for this legislation for as long as it lasts. Rodriguez wrote about a scholarship he won for which he never applied (166). That type of affirmative action I do not believe exists; if it does, I have never encountered it. I saw and read about many scholarships, but never one where the only qualification was to be a minority or female.

I cannot understand how someone who obviously benefited from the affirmative action programs can be so against it. Because he is not very socially disadvantaged like many minorities, Rodriguez tries to deny that he is a minority (147). He received good schooling early in childhood, so he is not like many minorities who did not. According to Richard Rodriguez, socioeconomic class should be the only factor determining who benefits from affirmative action. More often than not, people in a low socioeconomic class are minorities. Even so, affirmative action is not only for poor and socially disadvantaged minorities. It is for qualified people who will not receive certain jobs, benefits or enrollment into a program or school because of their race or gender.

Would America be better off without affirmative action? I think of history and my own experiences and believe that it would not. The benefits of affirmative action must strongly outweigh the disadvantages because the program has been in effect for a while. It is not flawless and could probably be better in some ways, but I am satisfied with it. I can understand why many people resent it, but I say again, they must look at the whole picture and be honest with themselves. Put yourself in my shoes, a Black female, and ask, without affirmative action, what would I do?