My Stance on Affirmative Action

For me, the debate this week was very challenging. When I was switched to the con side I was shocked at how difficult it was for me to find reasons why affirmative action should be eliminated. Having the experience of trying to fight against affirmative action only further solidified my pro view on the issue. Affirmative action as a system, like any, does have some flaws but it is a step in the right direction towards educational equality. Our society is not one in which every person regardless of race, economic standing and geographic location is on a level playing field in terms of oppurtunities and acceptance. Because the education playing field is such an uneven one, as we have reflected on during several discussions, a system like affirmative action is necessary in order to level that playing field. In a perfect world we wouldn't need affirmative action, but because those who are struggling are for the most part minorities who have gone to underserved schools in the past it is important to move towards diversifying colleges; the next step in a child's life. As a white girl applying to colleges I have been told many times that I am at a disadvantage because of the fact that I'm, "just white," but I was born with many advantages one of which is my race. If my spot is given to someone who has been facing adversities their entire life and it is a step in the right and well deserved direction for them I am genuinley fine with that happening.  I know that because of the schools I have gone to and the support I have had that I will find a school somewhere at which I will be able to thrive.