Trump Tackles Affirmative Action

Affirmative action has its advantages (ensuring diversity, gives everyone an equal playing field - though this is slightly dubious -) and disadvantages (reverse discrimination, puts the idea of a meritocracy in doubt). As race quotas are technically not allowed and race-blind admissions are not exercised by most colleges, I do not see affirmative action being phased out any time soon. What are your thoughts on this?

I think affirmative action is still necessary given how many are still discriminated and everyone starts on an unequal playing field. Let's be honest, there's an intrinsic tie between socioeconomic status and race. Many communities still have de facto segregation due to the unaffordable housing market and the "white flight" that happened after the desegregation of public schools. These poorer neighborhoods then have lower quality schools due to property taxes being their main sources of funding. Not to mention other things like poor infrastructure, unsafe water, the school to prison pipeline, etc. I feel affirmative action is needed for disadvantaged groups because it makes the application process more holistic and takes into consideration how much someone achieves given their special set of circumstances.

There definitely still is an unequal playing field that is related to race which affirmative action does strive to level. Do you believe that affirmative action affects the idea of a meritocracy?

I think the idea of a meritocracy is great in theory but is corrupted by those who are incapable of seeing outside of their own perspective. This especially problematic in the workforce. When diversity or circumstances are taken out of consideration, those with the most power, typically white employers, are allowed not examine their bias when reviewing applicants. This partially leads to where an applicant with a black sounding name is 50% less likely to receive a callback than an applicant with a white sounding name. Affirmative action is more fair in practice than meritocracy. Check out the following articles for more details.