e trades, construction, skilled labor -- and they should have access to professional jobs in engineering, medicine and the law as well as policy-making positions in executive suites and on boards of directors. Myth #5: Affirmative Action lowers standards in education and the workplaceby letting unqualified people get ahead. Fact: Affirmative Action helps qualified candidates overcome racism and sexism. Affirmative Action is an investment in the future. By the time today's college students are at the height of their careers, one-third of the population will be comprised of African Americans and Latinos. Myth #6: Affirmative Action lowers the education standards. Fact: If half of the people of color who are admitted to schools under affirmative action programs were cut, the acceptance rates of white men would only increase by 2%. Women still face barriers in schools. In Washington, women receive only 12% of doctorates in engineering, and women are substantially under-represented in computer science nationwide. Myth #7: Nobody else gets special consideration when applying to a collegeor for a job. Why should women and people of color? Fact: Lots of people get "special" consideration when applying for jobs or to schools. Veterans often get preferences in workplaces and on campuses which usually benefit men more than women. The children of alumni get preferential treatment over others in admission to college. Friends help friends and acquaintances get jobs. Affirmative Action helps open doors for women and people of color who often don't have those connections. Myth #8: Affirmative Action won't help me. Fact: Everyone benefits when discrimination is eliminated. The majority of families depend on the income of women. When Affirmative Action opens up education, employment, and business, families and communities have greater economic security. Business leaders understand that affirmative action is necessary to develop a...
