speech codes and affirmative action Essay

Submitted By rachellemaldonado
Words: 1941
Pages: 8
Open Document
Maldonado 1

In this paper I will offer my reasoning on how universities and colleges should promote racial equality. I will discuss why institutions should not use racially conscious admissions and speech codes if they want to promote racial equality and diversity, using the consequentialist approach. I will propose alternatives, proposing first an outreach program to low-income individuals as an alternative to racially conscious admissions and second, the Devine program as an alternative to speech codes.
I will explain my reasoning of how universities and colleges should promote racial equality by using the consequentialist theory in order to justify what’s morally correct. Consequentialism holds that the consequences or outcomes matter the most. The goal is to maximize happiness. If one can prove that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages of a particular moral issue (maximizes happiness) then that outcome would be consequentially just or morally right.
I will begin the introduction of this paper by highlighting that both racially conscious admissions and speech codes are not morally right because they do not maximize happiness for the whole. They have disadvantages that outweigh the benefits.
In the following, I will explain what I do agree with in terms of racially conscious admissions and my turn on the debate through a consequentialist view.
In agreement with Sterba on racially conscious admissions, I believe that we should try to make up for past discrimination and aim to create a truly equal opportunity environment. In addition to his argument I agree that we should aim to “create an equal playing ground for the disadvantaged minorities” (Sterba, 1) and to end present discrimination. However, I have a point of disagreement with Sterba, I do not believe that

1

2

using racial preferences in admissions is the only way to promote diversity or equality. In fact in the following I will propose alternatives, alternatives against racially conscious admissions and speech codes in which colleges and universities could use to promote both successful racial diversity and equality, where it will maximize happiness and the outcome would be morally correct.
In response to racially conscious admissions, in this section I will discuss a race neutral alternative that outreaches to minorities and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Particularly, this program will outreach to low-income communities and give them resources needed for success (Lenz, 2). Due to the fact that minorities are the fastest-growing sectors in the country and they make up a “disproportionately large segment of the economically poor population” (“Low Income”), it only makes sense that we can use this to achieve diversity in a race neutral way. This program will educate minorities in low-income communities about the steps needed to get into college and help them in the process to make these steps (Iasevoli, 2). It gives specific supports these students need, such as “numeracy and literacy coaching, classrooms that utilize blended learning, SAT prep, and project- and performance-based learning” (Lenz, 2-4). It also provides adequate number of staff to assure individualized attention to students and adequate facilities and equipment.
Despite the benefits, I do observe that this program may not be able to reach such high levels of diversity and it may no be able to attain the minority mix that universities have reached while using racial preferences. I argue that despite this program not being able to reach such idealistic numbers, its advantages still outweigh its disadvantages than

2

Maldonado 3

that of using racial conscious admissions. In contrary to using racial preferences, on its face the program is absolutely clear with its method and goal, it will
Show More

Related Documents: speech codes and affirmative action Essay

Officer Ramos Case Summary

that the equipment was in proper working order when analysis was performed and the test was performed pursuant to Title 17 California Code of Regulations. Based on the above there is no basis to render the results invalid. There was no evidence presented by Counsel that the Department's result was compromised or inaccurate. Based on the preceding and no affirmative evidence to the contrary, the preponderance of evidence presented supports the Department’s…

Words 575 - Pages 3

Psi 201 Study Guide

questions, but also be prepared to answer the answer the questions as a whole—so do not overlook the more thematic and conceptual parts of the question. Multiple Choice/Fill-in-the-Blank Topics Chapter 1 Agents Principals Delegation Collective Action Collective Goods Private Goods Public Goods Tragedy of the Commons Free-Rider Problem Agenda Control Authority Command Power Veto Plurality Simple Majority Supermajorities Coalition Coordination Preferences Conformity Costs Transaction…

Words 1068 - Pages 5

Student: Common Law and Specific Performance Essay

Elements: Cause of action any legal wrong for which a remedy may exist. Defined prima facie case: A case in which the plaintiff has produced sufficient evidence of his or her claim that the case can go to a jury; a case in which the evidence compels a decision for the plaintiff if the defendant produces no affirmative defense or evidence to disprove the plaintiffs assertion. Equity = Fairness Breach of Contract = Action of Law Legal complaint Specific performance = action in equity A decree…

Words 1352 - Pages 6

Sports: Racial Segregation Essay

How do these greater forces affect racial inequality in America? Wilson reviews the answer in this chapter. “The code of the street” and “the code of shady dealings” were brought back from chapter one to reinforce the idea that culture mediates the impact of structural forces such as racial segregation and poverty. (Wilson pp. 133-134) These codes are examples of how cultural codes influence structure. (Wilson p.135) Also, they tend to limit the chances of success for those living in poverty. Wilson…

Words 1028 - Pages 5

Business LAW Essay

power. State regulatory powers are often referred to as: police powers. In an equal protection inquiry, when a law or action distinguishes between or among individuals, the basis or classification, is examined. Depending on the classification, the courts apply different levels of scrutiny or “tests” to determine whether the law or action violates the equal protection clause. The courts use one of three standards: strict scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, or the: “rational…

Words 980 - Pages 4

Pre-Trail Litigation: Pleadings, Discovery, Pretrial Motions, And Settlement

Chapter 3: Pre-trail litigation: pleadings, discovery, pretrial motions, and settlement Pleadings: complaint, answer, cross-complaint, and reply Discovery: despotion, interrogatories, production of documents, physical/mental exam Affirmative Defense: Alternative Dispute Resolution: Methods of resolving a dispute other than litigation Answer: Defendant’s written response to plaintiff’s complaint Appeal: Asking appeal court to overturn a decision Appellant: Appeling party (petitioner) Appellee:…

Words 2988 - Pages 12

Essay about Walmart Business Analysis

Wal-Mart Business Analysis For the final group project we chose to complete a management analysis on Wal-Mart. Covered in this paper are the issues of productivity, hiring practices, corporate social responsibility and culture, diversity and affirmative action, the use of information technology, leadership, teamwork, and managing ethics. Productivity is very important to any successful business. Wal-Mart has increased its productivity through many different advances. Business analysts have long admired…

Words 1593 - Pages 7

Alcohol and Illegal Drug Testing Essay

Illegal Drugs. Further, the University is committed to provide campus experiences for its students that are safe, legal, and responsible, in accordance with University Policy #81, General Campus Policy for Alcoholic Beverages, and the University Code of Student Conduct. II. University Interests For obvious health and safety concerns, all students enrolled in the University’s College of Health and Human Sciences healthcare programs (each individually the “Program” or collectively the…

Words 2323 - Pages 10

African American and Civil Rights Essay

prohibited slavery” (Dahl, 2002). The black codes were passed in the southern states which restricted the rights of newly freed slaves. They varied greatly from state to state as to their restrictiveness and harshness. The codes gave black certain civil rights like the right to marry and own property they also provided segregation of public places as well as restriction on freedman’s status as a free laborer. Some northern states had black codes before the war but they thought that this was just…

Words 2575 - Pages 11

Analysis Of Supreme Court Cases

CRIMINOLOGY 13 CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FALL SEMESTER, 2014 COURSE SYLLABUS CLASS SECTIONS Section Number Days/Times Room 29760 MWF; 8:00 – 8:50 OAB 271 29761 T – Th; 8:00 – 9:20 OAB 271 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will focus on the analysis and evaluation of notable Supreme Court cases, together with an examination of the logic and interpretive reasoning used by its justices in making constitutional judgments. Emphasis will be placed on the historic protection of individual…

Words 7388 - Pages 30