
Constitutionally, people should have equal economic opportunities for them to explore their socio-economic potentials effectively. However, a constitutional consideration of the issue reveals the fact that the preferential treatment may suppress the socioeconomic growth of other groups. In this case, the principle of affirmative action intends to right past economic wrongs by prioritizing the interests of these minority group. Most of these people experience economic inequalities arising from historical events such as slavery. For example, admission processes should focus on academic merit rather than racial or gender profiles.Īnother legally contentious issue is the preferential treatment of socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. Conversely, based on constitutionality, others may argue that the provisions of equality should account for the equal treatment of all learners without special reference to their ages. For instance, the inclusion of race as a determining factor in the admission of learners in academic institutions, from the perspectives of the policy supporters, addresses past inequalities in the education sector. However, such assertions do not reflect any legal justifications regarding its relevance towards righting past wrongs. Most of them argue that the policy is instrumental and mandatory in the process of righting past wrongs.

Many if the individuals that support affirmative action are ignorant of the constitutional precedents behind the policy.

Still, the complication lies with the question of whether affirmative action depicts a legal approach towards the reduction of inequalities and discrimination. The constitution advocates for the equal treatment of all people and is intolerant of inequalities and all forms of discriminations. However, the constitutionality of affirmative action is a matter that is still in contention. Therefore, affirmative action intends to achieve various goals including increasing access to learning and education programs, bridging the inequalities associated with employment and payment issues, redressing past wrongs and oppression and endorsing diversity. Recent developments in the policy widen its scope to accommodate various forms of discrimination and inequalities including gender, educational and economic inequalities among others. Slavery is a credible example of the pertinent historical events while racism is both historical and current. Such groups suffer from current and historical discrimination, especially regarding culture. Affirmative Action: Race in college admissionsĪffirmative action is primarily a policy that accounts for the prioritization of the interests of a disadvantaged group.
