Why I Support Affirmative Action
Trace the history of Africans in America.
Slavery began in the United States around 1619 and continued through the end of the Civil War in 1865 (246 years).
Following the end of slavery, African Americans faced the "separate but equal" lunacy of the Jim Crow era until 1964 (99 years).
Individuals of African descent have been in the United States for roughly 388 years. Of these, they have faced harsh discrimation for 345 years.
Now we expect all African Americans to compete with us. Is this fair? I think not.
President Lyndon B. Johnson compared affirmative action to a race. Two men start at the same time, but one is in shackles and chains. If the chains are removed halfway through the race, he cannot be expected to compete with the other man, who is far ahead of him.
What a perfect analogy for us to consider.