Question

What was the purpose that Affirmative Action was enacted?  Do those same circumstances still apply today? 

Answer 1

Affirmative action was enacted to benefit an underrepresented part of society. Affirmative action compensates for the past patterns of discrimination undergone by the members of protected class by giving them preferential treatment in opportunities. For example, job hiring policies provide special consideration for such members as an effort to overcome the present effects of past discrimination. There was great discrimination against the members of protected class in the past based on race, gender, nationality etc and affirmative action programs were a requirement in the past to empower them and ensure equal treatment of all in the society. But now the condition has changed; all the people are considered equally and decisions are taken based on qualification and skills. Most of the companies are focused on hiring the best employees. The members of protected classes have become so advanced in most of the fields like education, employment and wealth. But the affirmative programs still provide advantage to them and now it has lead to reverse discrimination as they deny opportunities for qualified members of majority. Hence in my opinion, the same circumstances that led to affirmative action do not apply today.