Affirmative action programs have helped countless numbers of minorities achieve positions of power. Because racial and gender prejudices have prevented people of color and women from being promoted, being hired, or being accepted to certain academic institutions, affirmative action programs are necessary to enforce equal opportunity laws. While some people might contend that affirmative action constitutes "reverse racism," I feel that prejudices are often unconscious and deeply rooted. Therefore, affirmative action is necessary to ensure an even playing field for all persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender.

In my personal experience, affirmative action has made college campuses more diverse and therefore more representative of the world as a whole. I would not want to go to school or work in a homogenous environment, especially since American culture is heterogeneous. I have witnessed affirmative action work, because I know that many minorities that are in positions of power at school might have been passed over otherwise. Especially because universities and corporations have traditionally been run by white males, affirmative action has created necessary changes to these institutions. Affirmative action has made my schools and workplaces more egalitarian

In spite of its being controversial, I feel that affirmative action is still necessary in hiring, promotions, and layoff procedures. Workplaces need to be diverse in the United States. The persons in power must represent a wide range of backgrounds and both genders; otherwise, only a select few end up running the show. Affirmative action ensures that more attention be paid to people who were once overlooked in the hiring or promotions procedures. Furthermore, layoffs should not affect the level of diversity that affirmative action hiring procedures created.

In general I firmly favor affirmative action because it improves the quality of our society. As more and more women and people of color enjoy positions of power, the less prejudice and racism will be evident in our society. Affirmative action is an effective way of promoting diversity in our culture.