, minority-owned firms, or forms that show a disadvantage. Such programs aretraditionally excluded. Affirmative action creates opportunities with contractors. The workcomes through relationships but that first opportunity to build a relationship comes fromaffirmative action. Affirmative action in education can consist of early outreach programs, recruitmentprograms, efforts in admissions to diversify the student population, and specific financialaid opportunities. Contrary to common belief, affirmative steps are not limited tominorities. Colleges offer programs such as scholarship, tutoring, and outreach aretargeted toward minority and women students. These colleges have been able to diversifyand at the same time greatly strengthen the class academically. Graduation rates forminority students are rapidly increasing. The only effective way to address inequality ofopportunity is by making sure that all children are provided with the same tools tocompete in our society. Some feel that affirmative action plans increase reverse discrimination. Qualifiedwhite males are being passed over for promotion or a job because women or members of aminority have applied for the same job. The woman or a minority is hired not because theyare qualified but because of affirmative action. One of the biggest complaints aboutaffirmative action is that it is aimed at helping African Americans and that these programsgive preferential treatment to undeserving minorities because of the color of their skin.What about athletes and legacy students who are given preferential treatment in universityadmission decisions on a yearly basis due to their white ancestry? Affirmative actioncannot be reverse discrimination because it is not just for people of color. If a female isequally qualified then as an affirmative action effort, she should be hired. This is notpreferential treatment. Another misconception about affirmative action is that they stigmatize and call int...
