strong workforce. Women and people of color have a lot to offer their communities. Affirmative Action helps insure that everyone gets the chance to contribute. Myth #9: Affirmative Action = Preferences Fact: Affirmative Action = Equal Opportunities Affirmative Action programs merely acknowledge that hundreds of years of discrimination cannot be erased in a few decades and still hold women and people of color back. Affirmative Action is the bridge between changing the laws and changing the culture. Myth #10: Things are different now, we don't need affirmative actionany more. Fact: Until women and people of color get equal pay and education, we need affirmative action. The radical right wing would have us believe that woman and people of color earn less because we don't work as hard or we're not as smart. That simply isn't the case. Laws have changed, but discrimination persists. Affirmative Action only opens doors; women and people of color have to walk through those doors by themselves.In a perfect world program such, as Affirmative Actions would not be needed. Personnel decisions would be basis upon each individuals abilities and qualifications, without regards to gender or ethnic group. However, we are far from a perfect world. As long as we have prejudices, hatred, and discrimination in society, programs of Affirmative Action will be necessary....
