Assignment task:
Affirmative action, giving preferential treatment based on gender or race, is an attempt to make up for past discrimination against women and other minorities. For example, many African-American students did worse on standardized tests than their white counterparts, not because they were less capable, but because poorer school districts were predominantly black and had fewer resources to prepare them for college. Those in lower social classes were predominantly minorities or women, and affirmative action was designed to compensate for the lack of resources those groups had in their schooling.
However, now we have had our "first generation" of black millionaires; and a black president. While there is still a gender and race gap in the workplace, with few women or minorities holding executive level position and making less money in similar positions as their white counterparts, the gap is smaller than it has ever been. In other words, there is more of an intersection among race, gender, and class than in the past.
On this discussion board first find an opinion opposite your opinion (Google it) and then discuss both your stance and what you have discovered about the other side of the argument.
So, if you are pro affirmative action read about those who oppose it and why.
If you are in opposition to affirmative action read about why some folks believe it is necessary.