Equal Opportunity is the road to social justice. Affirmative actions are some of the paths leading to that road. If remedial actions are not taken, the momentum of the past will continue to preclude equal opportunity to victims of past discrimination. Affirmative actions are predicated on the beliefs that most of us have been programmed to nurture prejudices, prejudices which when not controlled lead to unfair discrimination. All of us, victims and perpetrators of discrimination carry the burden of that wrongdoing.
Affirmative actions range from voluntary recruitment efforts to court imposed quotas.
Voluntary affirmative actions are designed to ensure fair and open competition. Equal Opportunity is to be provided in all education and employment programs. Affirmative actions are to be taken whenever there is under-utilization of members of a protected class. Affirmative actions are elements of an Equal Opportunity Insurance Policy designed to cleanse the collective mind, encourage trust, promote social cohesion, foster political stability, and facilitate optimal development. If we are to build a society in which one is judged by the content of one's character, we cannot ignore the deleterious effects of current prejudices.