2008 Fall Critical Thinking Research Topic: Affirmative Action

Please add findings below following the template on the Fall 2008 Critical Thinking Research Topics page.

Group members should also work to keep the page well organized. -Alfino

History

Affirmative Action Programs Promote Justice for African Americans

Link Rohrbach Perry, E.A. "Affirmative Action Programs Promote Justice for African Americans." Opposing Viewpoints: Social Justice. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. INLAN - Gonzaga University Library. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T010&prodId=OVRC&docId=EJ3010397214&source=gale&srcprod=OVRC&userGroupName=gonzagaufoley&version=1.0>.

Summary/Reconstruction This article is more background information about how the concept of affirmative action came about. It shows what Lyndon B. Johnson thought about affirmative action and that he claimed it provided justice for African Americans from the past treatment.

Stacey

The Origin of Affirmative Action

link http://www.now.org/nnt/08-95/affirmhs.html

Reconstruction This website gives an overview of what helps to make up the basis of Affirmative Action. The thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments of the Constitution. It deals with the Plessy vs. Ferguson trial. The trial of Brown vs. Board of Education. Affirmative Action was first introduced in John F. Kennedy's Executive order 10925 speech. Acts passed in support of Affirmative Action included the 1964 Civil rights act and the 1965 voters right act. It also briefly includes a section of why people are against it. The source of publication came from the National Organization of Women.'

Evan

Affirmative action

linkhttp://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1741/Affirmative-Action-Compliance-in-Higher-Education.html

Reconstruction Great source for all sorts of information. It has all major court cases and talks about each in great detail. It also talks about the history of Affirmative Action. It has a great timeline for cases and diffrent things that affect affirmative action.

Nick

Affirmative Action History

Linkhttp://www.infoplease.com/spot/affirmative1.html---

Reconstruction This website gave a specific outline of different trials and happenings that occurred during the rising period of Affirmative Action. The title is Affirmative Action History. It goes in depth of explaining the meaning and purpose of Affirmative Action. I found the time line to be the most helpful.

Evan

Affirmative Action

Link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirmative_action---

Reconstruction This website covers a diverse group of subjects all relating to Affirmative Action. The subjects include international policies, controversy, and implementation worldwide. As we all know, Wikipedia does not always have the most reliable sources due to the fact that people are able to edit the information. This particular website search gave warning to misleading information due to discriminating views dealing with this subject.

Evan

Court Cases

Affirmative Action in College Admission

'Link http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/affirm.html#summary

Reconstruction This website deals with the law suit that the University of Michigan was faced with dealing with the undergraduate acceptance process. It covers the entire lawsuit, the defendants, the plaintiff, it gives the University of Michigan's acceptance process and standards. Also, it shows the news coverage that was going on during the time of the trial. Also, a helpful tip that I found was it gave examples and sites of other law suits that were similar to this law suit. This site came form the University of Michigan's website.---

Evan

Plessy vs. Ferguson: Equality

Link "Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)." Infoplease. ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Prentice Hall. 11/12/08 <http://www.infoplease.com/us/supreme-court/cases/ar29.html>

Summary This website summarizes each major supreme court case in history. This article, for instance, deals with the Plessy vs. Ferguson supreme court in 1896. The arguments in the case revolved around the 13th Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Did the Louisiana law requiring segregated seating violate Plessy's “equal protection” under the law? Though this case does not have a direct correlation with affirmative action, it does suggest some ideas about segregation and equal rights, a subtopic of affirmative action.

Jeremy Lazzara

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Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

Link <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0438_0265_ZS.html>

Summary This website is about the major Supreme Court cases. More specifically, this article talks about the California vs. Bakke case. In this case, The Medical School of the University of California at Davis (hereinafter Davis) had two admissions programs for the entering class of 100 students -- the regular admissions program and the special admissions program. Under the regular procedure, candidates whose overall undergraduate grade point averages fell below 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 were summarily rejected. About one out of six applicants was then given an interview, following which he was rated on a scale of 1 to 100 by each of the committee members (five in 1973 and six in 1974), his rating being based on the interviewers' summaries, his overall grade point average, his science courses grade point average, his Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and other biographical data, all of which resulted in a total "benchmark score." This special admissions program was set aside specifically for the minorities, separating the class between race. In this case, the Equal Protection Cluase, also known as the 14th Amendment, is discussed.

Jeremy Lazzara

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Regents of University of Cal. vs. Bakke: Full text

Link "REGENTS OF the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA". Enfacto. 11/13/08. <http://www.enfacto.com/case/U.S./438/265/>

Summary Here is another article dedicated to the University of Cal. vs. Bakke Supreme Court case. This article contains the entire court case, whereas the website above describes the case.

Jeremy Lazzara

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Affirmative-action arguments reveal divided Supreme Court

Citation Allen Pusey. "Affirmative-action arguments reveal divided Supreme Court." (n.d.). TOPICsearch. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 6 Nov. 2008 <http://proxy.foley.gonzaga.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tth&AN=2W72106875252&site=ehost-live>.

Summary This article will give you a good idea of the Michigan court case. It gives a bit of background followed by reasons from both the students and from the university.

"Race, because of the Constitution, should never be a factor," Kolbo said.

Maureen Mahoney defended the Michigan law school admissions process as being highly individualized. She said race was only one of many factors-such as job experience, socioeconomic status and leadership potential-used to evaluate applicants to the school. She said the law school, rated as one of the nation's best, admits only qualified students and has no interest in admitting a minority who might not succeed.

Matt Theisen

New Twists Mark the Debate over Texas' Top 10-Percent Plan

Link Schmidt, Peter. "New Twists Mark the Debate Over Texas' Top 10-Percent Plan." Chronicle of Higher Education 54.39 (06 June 2008): A20-A20. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 6 Nov. 2008 <http://proxy.foley.gonzaga.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=32538064&site=ehost-live>.

Summary/Reconstruction This article reflects the court case in 2004 with the University of Texas. It mentions the outcome of the case and then purposes the question "Did Texas lawmakers come up with a workable alternative to such policies when they adopted a measure that required public colleges there to admit any young state resident in the top 10th of his or her high-school class?" This article explains the findings of the case, its lawsuit, adjustment (if any), and described the 10-percent plan.

Stacey

U. of Texas Not Required to Review Applicants

Link Schmidt, Peter. "U. of Texas Not Required to Review 2 Applicants." Chronicle of Higher Education 54.40 (13 June 2008): A23-A23. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 6 Nov. 2008 <http://proxy.foley.gonzaga.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=32993477&site=ehost-live>.

Summary/Reconstruction This is simply a small source that deals with the U. of Texas again but is more recent and explains that a federal judge has refused to re-evaluate 2 white students who sued the institution claiming that the admission policies were discriminatory. I thought this was interesting even though it is very short.

Stacey

Professional Views

Universities must keep leadership paths open to all, Lehman asserts

Link Myer, Linda. "Universities must keep leadership paths open to all, Lehman asserts." Www.news.cornell.edu. 14 Mar. 2004. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://www.news.cornell.edu/chronicle/04/3.11.04/lehman-cipa_lect.html>.

Summary/ Reconstruction This article deals with diffrent cases and how they should be thought of. Also it talks in great length about the judges in each of the most importhant court cases, and how thier messages should be interpreted.

Nicholas

Obama's Fumble on Affirmative Action

Link Yolanda Young. "Obama's fumble on affirmative action." USA Today (n.d.). Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 6 Nov. 2008 <http://proxy.foley.gonzaga.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=J0E131200146008&site=ehost-live>.

Summary/Reconstruction I thought this article might be helpful because it is dealing with the two presidential candidates and their debates on affirmative action. Also, another argument is brought up that expresses affirmative action is not going to be the long-term solution problem or race in America. This would be a good source for that argument of our topic.

Stacey

What is the afterlife of Affirmative Action?

Link Gould, Jon. "What is the afterlife of affirmative action?." Human Rights: Journal of the Section of Individual Rights & Responsibilities 22.4 (Fall95 1995): 1-1. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 12 Nov. 2008 <http://proxy.foley.gonzaga.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9604110774&site=ehost-live>.

Summary/Reconstruction I thought that this article would be useful because it is another professional view on affirmative action. This article is written by Jon Gould the Assistant Director of the International Human Rights Law Institute at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago.

Stacey

Articles that are agree with Affirmative Action

Should Affirmative Action policies, which give preference based on minority status be eliminated

Link http://www.balancedpolitics.org/affirmative_action.htm. Personal website of Joe Messerli.

Reconstruction-I found this website to be especially helpful due to the fact that it lists out a number of pros and cons for the purpose of Affirmative Action. It gives an in depth definition of Affirmative Action and then it goes into describing why people are for it and why people are against it.

Evan

[Alfino - Yes, this is an interesting site since he organizes arguments on both sides. I'm not sure about the authoritativeness, but I like the focus on arguments!]

Affirmative Action's success to Minorities

Link Santiago, Roberto. "Affirmative Action Is Essential to the Success of Hispanics." Current Controversies: Racism. Ed. Jennifer A. Hurley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. INLAN - Gonzaga University Library. 6 Nov. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T010&prodId=OVRC&docId=EJ3010060214&source=gale&srcprod=OVRC&userGroupName=gonzagaufoley&version=1.0>.

Summary This article offers a look at the opposing viewpoint the Affirmative action. Sure, I do think affirmative action should be stopped, but I have never seen the other side of the story for affirmative action. So here it is, a great way to look at how affirmative action helps the Hispanics. This article identifies key ideas, including: qualified minority, how affirmative action makes a difference, economic advantages, and the equal opportunity act.

Jeremy Lazzara

Affirmative-Action Programs Are Necessary

Link Orfield, Gary. "Affirmative-Action Programs Are Necessary." Opposing Viewpoints: Discrimination. Ed. Jacqueline Langwith. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. INLAN - Gonzaga University Library. 12 Nov. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T010&prodId=OVRC&docId=EJ3010125280&source=gale&srcprod=OVRC&userGroupName=gonzagaufoley&version=1.0>.

Summary This article talks about how affirmative has a positive affect on our nation and how it is necessary because our country is deeply divided. It focus's on how schools are divided and unequal, how students appreciate diversity, how college admissions should be left up to faculty, how our schools and our nation are diverse, and affirmative action is important. It seems like a good article to gain a better understanding on why affirmative action is important in society.

Articles that disagree with Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action is Racist

Citation Billingsley, K.L. "Affirmative Action Is Racist." Current Controversies: Racism. Ed. Jennifer A. Hurley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. Opposing Viewpoints Critical Thinking. Gale. INLAN - Gonzaga University Library. 6 Nov. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T010&prodId=OVRC&docId=EJ3010060213&source=gale&srcprod=OVRT&userGroupName=gonzagaufoley&version=1.0>.

Summary This article gives a good idea on how affirmative action actually hinders society rather then helping through equal employment. It also talks about how affirmative action is "seeking new victims" by protecting the rights of transsexuals and cross dressers. I think that this article has some good information and would be a good resource to look at while learning more about affirmative action.

Josh Petosa

A "poison" divides us

Citation Montgomery, Alicia. "A "poison" divides us." Politics 2000. 27 Mar. 2000. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://archive.salon.com/politics2000/feature/2000/03/27/connerly/index.html?cp=sal&dn=110>.

Summay/Reconstruction This article is an amazing source of information written by Ward Connerly. Ward Connerly "authored California's Proposition 209, which did away with affirmative action programs in government and higher education, and repeated this triumph two years later in Washington state." He goes in to depth about how affirmative action is causing tension between whites and blacks.

Matt Theisen

Possible Solutions

Against our bests interests: An ambivalent view of affirmative action

Link Schmidt, Peter. "U. of Texas Not Required to Review 2 Applicants." Chronicle of Higher Education 54.40 (13 June 2008): A23-A23. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 6 Nov. 2008 <http://proxy.foley.gonzaga.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=32993477&site=ehost-live>.

Summay/Reconstruction This article gives perspectives of different people and what they have to say about affirmative action. Also, it gives a brief history of affirmative action as well as touches the fairness and possible solutions, if there are any.

Stacey

Assessment

I think this is coming along well. You have good background sources. I think there are more authoritative or "expert" points of view on the issue that you haven't found yet. I expected to see some of the better conservative and liberal journals of opinion. You do have diversity of view point here, which is great, but you could look for views from more selective sources. Some of you slackers still aren't posting citations! Please try to get to that. We can't really ask the librarians to review your pages until you have citations up. - Alfino 11/13/08