Affirmative action doesn't apply to sports?

[mikesilvia]

I wrote a paper in my Human Resource class in college AGAINST affirmative action. My main point was using the NBA and NHL.

In our class we learned that a company's workers had to reflect the local area regarding race. For instance, if you were in a town that was 70% white, 20% black and 5% Hispanic, you company had to reflect that town give or take a few percentage points. If you did not you were fined for non compliance.

This law got me thinking. Why do professional sports get a free pass in this area? For instance, take the Indiana Pacers. If Indiana was 90% white, wouldn't the team have to be 90% white? Chances are the team in 90% black. Isn't this team breaking clear Affirmative Action laws? Not only breaking the law but by 80%!!!

If we are going to follow Affirmative Action, shouldn't pro sports be included since there is so much money involved? Additionally, I would say the NBA is unfair to short people and the rim should be lowered to allow short people to compete.

Now take Hockey. It is obvious there are not enough black, Hispanic and Asian athletes in Hockey. Per Human resource laws they are in violation.

I made a good case in class and I think I proved my point how bad Affirmative Action really is and that everyday you can turn on the TV and see clear violations of Human Resource laws, but it is over looked because it is a pro sport.

Mike

[doniceage]

Mike well if your going to go there in your argument how about this. What about disabled individuals (affirmative action right). Can you see a blind guy playing hockey, a man with one leg on the basketball court, etc. Well your mentioning but did you even present a case on that front or did you totally forget that?? Just thought I throw that at ya.

p.s. It possible and they might shine like that autistic kid that scored 20 points in 4 minutes in a varsity game 3 straight six pointers after he missed his first 2 or 3 shoots. Perhaps adults don't want to be shown up by the handicap as it hard to live down getting schooled by the one arm bandino who just shoot a 3 pointer over your arse (been there done that) as my teammates never let me live that down (TIS LIFE).

The amazing story of Jason McElwain. Jason is autistic, and for years he helped coach his high school basketball team. The last game of the season, the coach let him play. Read the full story at CBSNews.com. - CollegeHumor video


DON

[Chuck-17]

There you go Don you just backed up Mike's case against affirnative action.

[mikesilvia]

Don,

I see your point. I think that would be covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act and other laws governing discrimination against people with disabilities.

Affirmative actions provides benefits to individuals based on their race. Meaning they are given an advantage when applying for a job, school and other programs. The intent was to make up for past injustices.

Personally, I am for Affirmative Action if the only factor considered was peoples INCOME and not RACE. Today, Oprah and Tiger Woods' children would be given preferential treatment in admission into schools and jobs in many states over poor non-African Americans. Shouldn't we base Affirmative Action programs on income instead of race? Why should a rich African American get preferential treatment over a poor white, Asian or Hispanic kid when getting into a college? Aren't we simply doing what whites did 50+ years ago?

Mike

[gerald hewitt]

Mike,
You make a great point. In today's disparate economic environment the shift is toward disallowing the lower socio-economic class from the opportunities to work hard and advance which was the impetus for Affirmative Action in the '60's. Different time, same unfairness!
Gerald

[chljoe]

Fairly certain Oprah or Tiger's children wouldn't have to worry about getting into a worthy academic program. Minorities are still in the lower economic class in America and Affirmative Action is set in place to help out the minorities in America, more specifically African-Americans because of the insane and unjust ways whites treated and continue to treat them in society.

[mikesilvia]

Fairly certain Oprah or Tiger's children wouldn't have to worry about getting into a worthy academic program.

The point is that their children still qualify for these programs and they can apply.

unjust ways whites treated and continue to treat them in society.

This is silly. Whites don't monopolize racism. Blacks are just as racist towards whites. Racism exists in all ethnic groups. I have had to deal with Hawaiians being racist to me and other blacks because we are not local. I have seen Koreans racists towards blacks and blacks racists towards Koreans. Arabs are racist towards Jews and Germans are racists towards Turks. Turks are Racists toward Kurds. Should I go on?

Racism exists everywhere in America and whites are not the only ones that have racists in their ranks. Go to YouTube and check out some of the fights on their and you will see what I am talking about.

Again, make affirmative action based on income and I will support it.

Mike

[chljoe]

I swear. Never did I say only whites were racist. Please keep your nonsensical conclusions to yourself. A debt must be paid to the minorities, especially blacks, for past actions and continued actions by whites.

[mikesilvia]

I swear. Never did I say only whites were racist. Please keep your nonsensical conclusions to yourself. A debt must be paid to the minorities, especially blacks, for past actions and continued actions by whites.

So, even whites that came to America AFTER slavery? Or how about the Africans that rounded up the slaves in Africa? Should they pay a price as well? My grandfather came to the US in the 40s and signed up the the war.

Now you say minorities. Should Hispanics get it as well? Much of the country belonged to Mexico to include California and Texas. Or how about the Spanish. We took Florida from Them. Should everyone EXCEPT whites get benefits?

Again, Affirmative action based on income will fix all injustices and help almost all minorities.

Mike

[chljoe]

No having it based on income will not solve the problem...actually it might since minorities are still in the lower economic class