Affirmative action is contrary to the public good

Hello, I am The Doctor, and I am going to be con for this debate. I will be arguing for affirmative action, and negate my opponents arguments. All definitions are accepted, except his these: Affirmative Action: an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, esp. in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination. I will first address my opponents paragraphs: My opponents first paragraph summarized is: Affirmative action's benefits are out weighted by their negatives. However, not on example of it being a negative was given, nor any evidence, links or otherwise was given in any of his argumentation. His main point in this paragraph is that the government picks solely on race, rather than the merits. However, this is not the case. Affirmative action gives minorities an edge, but it does not give them a free pass to get any job. Lets be honest here no employer will pick an idiot over someone whose competent, race or not. It still is a merit based system with being a minority one of the merits. If two people are both great at the job but ones black, and the others white. The employers will probably hire the black man. Why? Isn't this backward racism? Yes and no. Government jobs "usually", and I use that term loosely, requires some form of higher education. Be it the president, representative, senator, or any other the other government jobs. As a minority it is very difficult thing to achieve such education. Social standing alone makes it difficult. Specially since almost all minorities are poor.(https://www.apa.org...) "African American children are three times more likely to live in poverty than Caucasian children. American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian families are more likely than Caucasian and Asian families to live in poverty (Costello, Keeler, & Angold, 2001; National Center for Education Statistics, 2007).In 2005, the high school dropout rate of Latinos was highest, followed by those of African Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives (National Center for Education Statistics, 2007)." So when they even make it where they can get these jobs its a feat. Why shouldn't they get an edge? The white have an edge since they are born. Even as a middle class white male you already have an edge when it comes to money and education. Can we really say backwards racism is terrible? When in life, since they were born, they have already drew the short sick. The answer is no, its not terrible. Attacks: 1. Opponent assumes that employers picks less qualified workers due to race. Which common sense tells you no they don't. 2. Minorities already have less of an edge in life why not give them one edge since they have earned it. Being poor and less opportunities to get a good education when growing up. His second paragraph basically points out what I must prove. I must prove affirmative action is greater for the public good. Public good.... How about us being a moral society, and try to bridge the gap between minorities and majorities? I mean does it make a difference if we only preferred whites? probably not. Maybe a little racist but no difference will be made either way. However, affirmative action especially in government allows for the minorities to be represented fairly and equally. Racism still silently exists in our society. Affirmative action allows for stability and some chance of partial equality in life. Doesn't that serve a public good? Yes, it does. It allows stability and some form of equality because frankly us white people can easily find good education, well paying jobs. Can you honestly say that to every person in a minority?