Affirmative Action

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the historical roots of racism against African- Americans in the United States. The paper suggests that affirmative action has been somewhat helpful but not nearly helpful enough and is, moreover, weaker than in past decades. The paper contends that "race indifference" is at the heart of the problem and racism is not only alive and well in America, but its roots run much deeper than many Americans realize or want to admit. The paper discusses the film "American History X," and describes the racist views of a white neo-Nazi who unfortunately came to his senses too late to help his brother. The paper concludes that we in America still have time that we must utilize properly.

From the Paper:

"Discrimination against non-white minorities within the United States, especially African Americans, many of whose ancestors were still slaves less than 150 years ago, is nothing new in America. One of the themes, and perhaps the "moral message" of the film "American History X" is that one cannot really know members of a minority (or any) group until interacting with them. In this film, Derek, a white neo-Nazi leader, is imprisoned for killing a black man, but while in prison another black man, Lenny, essentially saves his life. Derek then develops a stake in seeing that his own younger brother Danny does not repeat his own racist mistakes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bowen, William G., and Bok, Derrick. The Shape of the River: Long-term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions.Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1998.
• Constitution of the United States. Microsoft Encyclopedia Encarta, 1-32.Retrieved March 21, 2006, from Microsoft Works Suite 2000 (CD-ROM), Disc 3.
• Dred Scott Case. Microsoft Encyclopedia Encarta, 1-3. Retrieved March 21, 2006, from Microsoft Works Suite 2000 (CD-ROM), Disc 3.
• Eaton, James. Strengthening Collegiate Education in Community Colleges. San Jose, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1994.
• Kozol, Jonathan. Savage Inequalities. New York: Crown, 1993. 4.

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