this is a paper i wrote in hopes of winning a scholarship for college. i'd really like it if you took the time to read it.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Affirmative Action as an Opportunity
By: Rosy Ricks

Do I think Affirmative Action is important for minorities? That’s a tough question for anyone, but it really hits close to home for me. I have a unique perspective on this topic. As a biracial member of American society, I can see why there are such extreme differences in opinion on the social assistance programs available solely to racial minorities. I understand that in some cases it seems unjust, however many non-minorities may never know just how important these services have been to so many citizens. Affirmative Action has been a real cornerstone in the advancement of the civil rights of underprivileged minority groups. It has offered opportunities in self-advancement, be those opportunities mental, intellectual or social. Affirmative Action is about helping the grossly under-represented members of society cross that dividing line of hopelessness and poverty and crossing into the land of endless possibility.
Living in such a modern world, one would hope that social equalizers would be a thing of the past. These programs, however, are needed more so now than ever before. As the population of the United States of America rises, a large percentage of its minority citizens remain undereducated and unprivileged. This is due largely to the fact that many minorities lack the skills, opportunities and confidence necessary to become prominent members of society. Social equalizers such as Affirmative Action offer these minorities a better chance at achieving success by leveling the playing field and offering new experiences, which in turn lead to confidence and knowledge. As the individual is bettered, every aspect of life may be remade to strike a more harmonious balance to every living being, regardless of race.
Affirmative Action levels the social playing field. If a minority wishes to master a skill or trade, he may apply for financial aid through a local minority-oriented agency, such as the Urban League or the N.A.A.C.P. These grants, scholarships and loans offer minorities opportunity experiences in every imaginable field. After the door has been opened, success is much easier to come by. Surly there are some out there who are abusing these resources, but many applying for this type of assistance have a genuine desire to become better people. Without such chances, many goals might remain unattainable and leave people hopeless. Hopelessness is not the way to a brighter future for minorities or anyone else. Affirmative Action is an attempt to give everyone a fair chance at the good life we all dream about.
Social assistance is not intended to be a welfare source, and it is by no means such a thing. Affirmative Action is a compass to a better standard of living. Instead of giving a handout, the idea behind Affirmative Action is to prepare minorities mentally, intellectually and socially. There’s an old proverb that summarizes the concept fairly well: give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. With new opportunities come new life experiences. Teaching this man to fish is giving him an opportunity to better his life. If he comes away from that experience more knowledgeable than when he first arrived, then that attempt was successful. The man is changed. He is bettering himself and the lives of those around him. Being presented with the ability to better the self is a sure way to enrich a life.
Lives are not changed by these endeavors alone. Confidence and self-worth are both key values needed to become a well-functioning member of society. By introducing the necessary tools, Affirmative Action gives minorities a chance to build confidence in themselves and their actions, thereby becoming a better person. When one feels he has become a better person, it encourages a sense of self worth. This newfound self worth can change a person’s life for the better. These feelings of self worth are major assets. Self-assurance is a key that opens many doors to success. A person who has eclipsed any negative internal sentiments has a far greater chance of further improvement. This self-improvement will eventually extend outward. The more people feel that they can count themselves as members of society, the better society will become for everyone.
The opportunity to better the self mentally, socially, and intellectually should be given to any person who wish to do so. All in all, I believe that Affirmative Action and other similar programs are doing a world of wonder. Any program that can change person’s life in such a positive way should be held in the highest regard. Opening doors that have been long slammed in the faces of minorities is an amazing achievement. Although it may still have a few kinks to be worked out, Affirmative Action offers minorities so many wonderful opportunities which otherwise may not have been available.