Words like equality, inequality, discrimination, and now reverse discrimination have become words that have many emotions and reactions attached to them. It can be said that these words have such strong connotations because of this country's past history of racism and oppression. Minorities in the United States have suffered hundreds of years of inequalities and unwarranted prejudices. The debate of what is the best way to offer reparations to those who have been treated as second class citizens. One such approach to reimbursement is a program called affirmative action. The program can be defined as "if a government or an organization takes affirmative action, it gives preference to women, black people, or other groups which are often treated unfairly, when it is choosing people for a job" (Cambridge Dictionary). The benefits of this plan are very debatable, and highly contested.
             Scholars and policy makers have struggled to develop assumptions on if affirmative action is the best plan to put an end to the racial discrimination. Those in favor of the program feel that by allowing minority preferences it is repaying those who have suffered inequality, as well as allowing a person an opportunity for success when they may not have not had the chance before. The people who are opposed to affirmative action feel that it is reverse discrimination in which a majority group is biased against. Writers Stanley Fish and Shelby Steele take different stances on whether affirmative action is helpful and positive way to fight discrimination; I, however do not take either of the sides of the issue.
             It is a difficult to determine what the most competent arguments for or against affirmative action should be. When debating it is important to discuss such things as historical background, the equality of the programs, and if there is really a benefit for those involved. Author, Stanley Fish (who is in favor of affirmative action progra...