C-SPAN Supreme Court Series: Race and Affirmative Action

When I arrived in Washington in 1966 there were no blacks in offices. Just before I went to Vietnam in 1968 many young black secretaries were brought in. They sent them to class from 9 to 11am to learn skills, etc. When I returned to DC in 1974 there were male and female blacks throughout the building. When I came back in 2000 many had become law enforcement officers in my agency, many with no college education but the desire to learn. Affirmative action helped them, many have now moved to the suburbs, have children who are also benefitting from the guidance of their parents. I was for affirmative action back then but now I just want great schools for everybody of whatever background they come.

Who are these elitist Judges that believe they are endowed with social re-construction rights? Yes slavery was wrong, so were many institutions that societies have long ago abandoned. But Affirmative Action has propagated racial resentment and more stereotyping among its victims. It's simply not the American Way.

The population of the US is approx. 310,000,000 and the population of African Americans in approx. 41,000,000. Let us speculate that 40% of that number is available for employment in the US so that would leave approx 19,000,000. As far as the male work force lets just say that 20% is in prison for whatever reason some just and some error. That leaves 15,000,000 to compete for employment in the US. Now of that 15,000,000 there are 10%(1,500,000) competing for jobs throughout the US. I would speculate that in every state there are 30,000 people applying for jobs. I would also speculate that 10%(3,000/state) are applying for jobs that have affirmative action implication. Of the 3,000/state there are individuals that fall under the category due to the fact that they are African American not that they are under qualified for consideration. So in actuality there is a small fraction of the African American population really involved in this discussion. If you really consider the actual numbers involved this really is a moot discussion. This issue get much more press than it deserves from a negative perspective. Affirmative action policies should be maintain to keep companies and institutions honest in the effort to offer equal access to all.

i have never been giving a job because of affirmative action most black people never have i havet is pasted over because of the color of my skin while white people who knew said well that just the way it is i am truly sorry that blacks woman and other minorities have ask you to share power maybe we should wait until you learn what is really right and wrong

This affirmative action is very degrading for us, the minorities. In any professions we choose, we dont want to be treated as second rate to anyone. We just want fair treatment on application and let our record speak for itself and not our race.

Affirmative action. When you get down to the bottom line it is minority rules. The old adage of hard work and knowledge will get you up the ladder is no more. It's now quotas, percentages, and being PC. Take a look around at all the rules, laws and restrictions out there. They are all there to appease the minorities. From hiring to prayer, education to promotions, its all about making the minorities happy, we do it at the expense of the majority. I read in some of these statements here that if we don't change we will fall behind other countries. Better take a hard look around for we are dead in the water and other countries are sailing around us.

Affirmative Action has seen it's days. The time for picking the best of the crop is now. Those that cannot compete at the top will get the jobs they are qualified for and the schools they can get into at the rate and level they have achieved. No one is entitled to anything. They either work for it or they don't. I am tired of seeing people who are qualified get passed over for friends and family. I am tired of seeing those who are out of a job being told they are over-qualified, try somewhere else. I am tired of seeing jobs going to people based on if they speak spanish in a retail situation or a delivery situation because the dock workers don't speak english. I believe that every employer who hires someone who speaks only spanish should require that person to learn english. Now companies are hiring "supervisors" who speak spanish to work with those that don't speak english. This is a safety concern. If you are working with someone who does not speak english how are you to tell them that there are dangers they need to understand in the work place. I am tired of seeing youngsters coming into work late or high or sick. Affirmative action has given those that are less informed better jobs and laid off those who can teach the new kid on the block the proper ways to do the work in a language that both understand. Our Justices have cheated two whole generations and caused the United States to go backward not forward. We are not a social experiment. We are not Pavlov's dogs.

Who gave them lifetime term's?they need to serve two year's on the supreme court instead they have to wear diaper's to go to the bathroom.anybody who think's these judges can't be bought off is not living in reality!that goes for all level's of court's don't let them get comfortable.look at congress living like going to a freaking counrty club every day!over throw supreme court clean house!& now there going to censor what is posted.to protect who?the crooked politician's!

People have to get over the differences. They are many. The important thing is an individual's ability to perform a job. Blatant discrimination is wrong, but so is hiring an under-qualified just to make the stat even out. But....consider..... While the racial breakdown for pro baseball generally represtets the nation-as-a-whole public, what about the NBA and NFL? Should they be required to hire more Hispanics and Asian-Americans and cut African-Americans, or face severe penalties?

Best qualified no matter there race or gender should be admitted. You want in study and work harder and you will get in. This should apply in hiring and promoting. No matter what you are you work hard and study hard you will get ahead.