The Civil Rights Act of 1964 established affirmative action goals of "equality as a fact and equality as a result." The intent was to create fairness in an otherwise unfair society by leveling the playing field, expanding access, and increasing inclusiveness for marginalized groups especially women and people of color. The legacy of past and present discriminations, the widening gap between the very rich and the very poor, racial tensions, xenophobia, and heterosexism continue to make affirmative action necessary today.
When a social worker recently asked me, "Isn't it time to end affirmative action?" my immediate response was that we have not given affirmative action a chance. In a profession that is comprised of 80% women, women who still earn less than men for comparable work, I am surprised by the extent of ambivalence to affirmative action from social workers who are ethically expected to act to ensure that all persons have access to the resources, services, and opportunities they require, and who are mandated to expand choice and opportunity for all persons, especially disadvantaged or oppressed groups and persons.
As a Hispanic professional woman, I do not take affirmative action for granted, nor do I take for granted that social workers are fully behind affirmative action. Social workers have told me that there is no doubt that the profession should support affirmative action, but they personally have serious doubts about how affirmative action has been implemented. Others fear that affirmative action has created reverse discrimination. Still other social workers, beneficiaries of affirmative action, would just as well do away with affirmative action because they are tired of proving themselves worthy on the job. Others stated that affirmative action legislation has done nothing to alter the underlying causes of social inequities, and may have further divided an already divided nation by establishing quotas. Finally, social workers, honestly worried about keeping their jobs, expressed concern about the direct impact of affirmative action on their future careers.
I have no question that affirmative action is effective, needed and necessary, and I am proud of NASW's unequivocable support for affirmative action. At NASW's annual meeting of the profession in October 1995, a resolution resolved "that we, the nation's social workers, call on the President, the Congress, and the Supreme Court to adhere to the principles of justice and equal opportunity that are the hallmark of affirmative action." At the 1996 Delegate Assembly, the NYC Chapter, through the efforts of our Committee on Affirmative Action/Multicultural Affairs, led the way to the adoption of the first policy statement on affirmative action published in employment, education, housing, and federal contracts (Social Work Speaks 1997). This policy statement supports a firm commitment to protect the gains realized by affirmative action while working to develop more effective and cogent policies and strategies to guide society and communities to that end.
More recently, at the January 1998 NASW Board Meeting in Washington, D.C., the first order of business was a morning spent lobbying on Capital Hill in support of affirmative action. This action was taken to counterbalance the threat of the McConnell-Canady "Civil Rights Act of 1997" (H.R. 1909/S. 950) which, if enacted, would eliminate affirmative action in federal employment. Considering recent events in such states as Texas and California where affirmative action is being dismantled, NASW wanted to go on the offensive and leave no doubt about the organization's support for affirmative action.
If all Americans were created equal and there were no discrimination in hiring or admissions practices due to race, sexual orientation, gender, immigration status, age, social class, disability, or religion, we would not need affirmative action. It has always been easier to hire people you know and who look like you and believe the same things you believe. Although there may be pockets of progress due to affirmative action, research and everyday experience demonstrate that discrimination continues to permeate American society. Affirmative action not only equalizes opportunity and justice for under-represented members of society, but it can release the creative energies and talents of the richly diverse populations that are the strength of this nation. As a chapter, our Affirmative Action/Multicultural Affairs Committee is a perfect vehicle to oppose dismantling of affirmative action and to discuss improved methods. We need to engage in this dialogue to protect and advance affirmative action for ourselves and our consumers, and we need to begin today.