Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Incentives for All

In 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson implemented Executive Order 11246 which enforced affirmative action as a method to equalize discrimination that occurred as a result of unjust civil rights laws. This Executive Order afforded government contractors the ability to take affirmative action towards minority employees in all aspects of hiring and employment. Thirty years later the state of California would pass the Civil Rights Initiative (A.K.A proposition 209) prohibiting public institutions from considering race, sex, or ethnicity. Thus becoming the first state to ban affirmative action, four more states would soon follow.

What began as a notion to equalize the “playing field” amongst Whites and minorities has caused controversy and encouraged much discussion around due process and the 14th amendment. For example, many individuals of the majority are quick to overlook the purpose of affirmative action, choose not to acknowledge the past 200 years of history, and claim something is being “taken” from them. As a result, these comments have forced advocates to justify affirmative action, by stating that it not only enhances the workforce, but also educational opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds. But, when opportunities to participate in diversity training and classes present themselves people continue to ask questions that refute the purpose.

I have heard the arguments both for and against diversity awareness and affirmative action. Yet, I often wonder would these notions request this much attention if all involved parties benefited? What if a solution existed to provide a balance to all stakeholders? A solution that consisted of minorities providing Whites incentives for learning about issues that affect their communities. I pose this question because I recently came across an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The article discussed how a non-profit organization called the Oregon League of Minority Voters will start offering scholarships to White students. Scholarships would be no more than 2,000 dollars and eligible applicants would be from the state of Oregon and are not of Asian, African, Latino or Native descent.

This proposal caught my attention because in the past, organizations that offered White-only scholarships consisted of individuals from affluent backgrounds. These organizations also used this as a tactic to demonstrate how ridiculous affirmative action was to them. Rarely do you see minority groups supporting the idea of White-only scholarships for the purpose of informing recipients on diversity. For this reason, I find this to be a new and creative approach to promote diversity, and inform White students about power and privilege. I believe the reason why a large percentage of the population does not support the notion of affirmative action and diversity is because they have nothing to gain. The federal government and institutions of higher education could learn a lot from this organization. The development of programs that would provide incentives for White people to learn more about race relations could positively influence the outlook of diversity and affirmative action in the United States.

I understand that organizations and institutions of higher education could run into issues around funding, logistics and program efficiency. But history indicates that a large amount of money is invested into programs that promote diversity awareness and the notion of affirmative action. Yet the percentage that is receptive to these ideas has not changed much. If the “playing field” is to truly be equalized, it is imperative that the government start using those funds to create programs that provide benefits and incentives to all parties. America is the land of opportunity and equality, but unless we as citizens feel we are provided opportunities and treated equally. The lack of clarity and support surrounding diversity awareness and affirmative action will continue to create division amongst citizens in the United States.

Links to article: http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Oregon-Minority-Group-Plans/21151/

http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2010/02/oregon_minority_group_to_offer.html