Affirmative Action to promote equal opportunity in the united states is justified.

Because he didn't specify any definitions, I'll take the liberty of providing some. Hopefully these fit what my opponent had in mind. Affirmative Action- a policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities (from . http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu...) Equal opportunity- the right to equivalent opportunities for employment regardless of race or color or sex or national origin (from . http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu...) Although the intentions behind affirmative action are morally sound and even praiseworthy, at this point, it has become unnecessary in a world where, with hard work and perseverance, it has become possible to overcome any discrimination and become truly successful. President Lyndon B. Johnson stated five years before the affirmative action movement, "You do not take a person who, for years, has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring him up to the starting line of a race and then say, 'You are free to compete with all the others,' and still justly believe that you have been completely fair. " In the beginning, affirmative action was, really, a positive factor for minorities, helping them to gain their footing in an unpredictable and unequal world. However, now, in the time of black presidents, Hispanic, Asian, female, and African-American Cabinet members [1], and homosexual leaders (Houston's recently elected mayor, Annise Parker, is a lesbian [2]), it is clear that the tolerance for diversity in many high-paying and prominent careers has widened recently. This nullifies the need for affirmative action based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors. Indeed, even socioeconomic class-based affirmative action has become unnecessary in such an era-- where one can come from meager backgrounds, but, with hard work and determination, can overcome difficulties and ultimately become successful. Equal opportunities are not created by being admitting into a college based on race. Equal opportunities are not created by favoring those ethnic groups who have had past hardship, because then, it would truly include all of us. Equal opportunities are not created by affirmative action. Ultimately, equal opportunity derives from the vast network of communication and resources available for every person. One widely-accepted definition of this "equal opportunity" is, "The right of all persons to be accorded full and equal consideration on the basis of merit, regardless of protected group status. " [3] Merit does not discriminate. Intelligence does not discriminate. The opportunities to take advantage of one's natural rights do not discriminate. Any one person has as much chance to succeed as any other person. There are an estimated 140,000 primary schools (includes grades 1-12, both public and private) in the United States [6] and approximately 122,000 libraries. [5] Over 74 percent of Americans have internet access, with an approximated growth of 16% every two years in rural areas. [4] With the resources currently available, there is no excuse for any person with the desire to learn and be successful to do so. There are no hindered opportunities without affirmative action. No race is naturally more intelligent than any other, and with the completely level playing field technological advancement has brought us, the need for affirmative action has become insignificant. In this day and age, taking race into account when deciding acceptance has become immoral in itself-- any policy of racial (or other) preference leads to inevitable inequality. Slackers of any race, gender, religion, or other affiliation do not deserve to be rewarded based on the apparent suffering of their ancestors. Those who apply themselves, utilize their resources, and work hard to prevail despite the discrimination every single person on this earth will receive-- these are the people who deserve to be rewarded with college acceptance, scholarships, and jobs. The way to overcome hardship is not to wait for a lifeboat to come and rescue you. There is no substitute for determination and hard work, which not only advances each individual, but also improves society. Thank you. Sources 1. . http://www.uswomenmoveforward.com... 2. . http://www.politicsdaily.com... 3. . http://www.kumc.edu... 4. . http://www.internetworldstats.com... 5. . http://www.ala.org... 6. . http://nces.ed.gov...