The Supreme Court continues to hear cases regarding Affirmative Action and reverse racism. They, the Supreme Court, have asked the question, should Affirmative Action be modified from its current state of implementation or should it be done away with all together?

“Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action their fruit behind it.” 

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Ralph Waldo Emerson always has a way with words that provoke thought and change. Although, the Supreme Court continues to hear cases regarding Affirmative Action and reverse racism, they should modify Affirmative Action to fit the demands of the people today. Although the definition of Affirmative Action has changed over the years, it sets a foundation of fair rules and regulations, creates a foundation for all classes to interact, and fosters healthy competition.

Affirmative Action has been around for many years but the way we know Affirmative Action today is not how it originally began. Although Affirmative Action today has a negative connotation as being an exclusive opportunity for minorities, its original inception was to set a foundation of fair rules and regulations between employees and employers. Affirmative Action was first introduced in the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (approved July 5, 1935). It was enacted by National Labor Relations Board to serve as a way to give unions protection against management. National Labor Relations Board vs. National Casket Company was one of the first cases to address “Affirmative Action”. This case set the precedent that companies could not discharge employees due to their participation in unions. During these times, unions were created to represent workers in all industries. The first union was created in the mid 19thcentury.

However, today, due to many definition changes to Affirmative Action, we know it to be the recommendation made by President John F. Kennedy in his Executive Order 10925 in 1961. That Executive Order was to “ensure that applicants are treated equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” This Executive Order created a new definition of Affirmative Action that would become the pillar of new policies, committees, and laws that would range from labor equality to education equality. This definition helped to add a layer to Affirmative Action that would create a foundation for all classes to interact within the workforce.

When there is a foundation for all classes to interact within the workforce, this also fosters healthy competition within the workforce. It creates an equal playing field for all men and women in various industries who have similar skill sets and education. No more will skilled workers with equal education and skill sets be denied an opportunity to apply for jobs that in the past they would not have the chance. No more will a woman be denied an opportunity for a promotion due to the “good old boy” system of companies without violating equal right rules and regulations. No longer will minorities be denied employment and/or promotions due to racial discrimination without those industries violating civil liberties and rights of those individuals. Affirmative Action modification in 1961 was made to create equal opportunities for all races, religions, and sexes within the workforce. Although, there is still more work to be done when it comes to equal opportunity of pay for women, society has come a long ways from where we were in 1935; due to the definition modifications made by President John F. Kennedy in 1961.

History always teaches us ways to persevere in the future without repeating past mistakes. Although history is our teacher, the lessons learned from our past are the true testaments for us to forge ahead and do our best to better ourselves and not repeat historical results. In order for us to change the connotation of Affirmative Action today, we must modify the definition to meet the needs of today’s society. Modifying the definition will ensure that the purpose of Affirmative Action stays relevant and fresh to set a foundation of fair rules and regulations, creates a foundation for all classes to interact, and fosters healthy competition for societies today.

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