Dear Editor:

After more than 20 years, affirmative action is still necessary to equalize past and present discrimination. It is helping to propel minorities into positions of power and prominence. Prior to government instituted diversity initiatives, minorities were heartlessly discriminated against due to inescapable racism and sexism.

Thanks to affirmative action, minorities are rapidly moving in an upward direction and wielding considerable amounts of power. The late Ron Brown, who served as the first African-American Commerce Secretary of the United States, was a product of affirmative action. People of color as well as women are being admitted into major universities, placed on corporate and civic boards, hired for upper managerial positions, and recruited by government agencies.

This issue is becoming extremely controversial. Many conservative politicians discredit affirmative action and the people who have benefited from it by referring to the entire concept as a "set aside." A number of white males claim the anti-discrimination initiatives take jobs away from them and redistribute the jobs to lesser qualified minorities. This notion is misconstrued. Affirmative action is centered on fostering diversity, fairness, and inclusion for all minority groups. In this highly competitive and capitalistic society, affirmative action is imperative. Minorities of all descents and both genders need a gauge to ensure adequate advancement of individuals in their respective groups. Affirmative action is that gauge.

One can only imagine American society today without such a system to enforce equality. Minorities could revert back to their former lifestyles of being divided and underrepresented. Moreover, a tremendous loss of talent and ideas would emanate. This is what justifies affirmative action as a vital necessity.

Derek D. Bardell
Graduate student
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA

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