Social Work Talking Points on Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action is Fair, It Works and It’s Necessary

NASW has always fought discrimination. The Association has reiterated its support for affirmative action by adopting the following priority: to develop programs that prevent the erosion of affirmative action standards and promote continued support for affirmative action. Affirmative action is a tool that gives qualified individuals equal access and equal opportunity to contribute. It supports two of our most cherished values, justice for all and equal access to opportunity.

How is it working?

• Affirmative action in education ensures that we have competent, educated leaders from and for all communities in America. It is effective in forcing changes in entrenched patterns of segregation. The results of dismantling of affirmative action in higher education are clear from what has taken place in California and Texas. Admissions of people of color have plummeted yet, there has been no increase in the academic caliber of admitted students. Anti-affirmative action efforts in higher education discourage students of color from applying and have served to resegregate schools (see www.aclu.org for detailed information and statistics on changes in admissions). Affirmative action creates diversity in our workplaces and classrooms. Knowing each other can reduce racial and ethnic tension and break down gender barriers thereby building a stronger America. In employment, affirmative action programs encourage recruiting and outreach efforts to underrepresented groups to ensure equal access and opportunity. Affirmative action in government contracting strengthens communities by promoting economic bases for growth and increasing jobs in communities where these have been few.
• Affirmative action supports opportunities for qualified and competent social workers to acquire higher wages, advance in the work place and gain financial security.

Why is it necessary?

• Affirmative action is necessary because discrimination still exists. Affirmative action causes college admissions specialists, contracting officers, and employers to seek merit in untraditional places. Without affirmative action, we often make choices out of old habits, which can exclude certain groups. Instead, affirmative action forces us to reach out to different groups. Eliminating affirmative action would halt the progress that the nation has made to end discrimination and lessen its impact. It would be a giant leap backward in our journey toward equal opportunity for all. Affirmative action helps promote racial and ethnic diversity in social work, which strengthens the profession’s ability to serve diverse client groups.
• Affirmative action helps promote racial and ethnic diversity in American public educational institutions, including schools of social work. Without affirmative action, we will experience a resegregation of education, with homogenous groups of students, faculty and administrators.