The Importance of Work Goals - Assignment Example

The United States has always been at the forefront in search of a diverse workforce via an emphasis on affirmative action policies and equal opportunity. To some proponents, moving away from affirmative action as the main tool for bringing both active and passive representation in the U.S would go against the constitutional principles of the U.S constitution. They argue that it is irrational to ignore the ugly remnants of ethnicity, race, and gender in the recruitment, promotion and retention decisions in the private, non-profit and public agencies of the U.S. Research conducted by Gallup in 2005 showed that through affirmative action, minority rights and relations were defended since affirmative action calls for the rights of racial minorities.

To some opponents, affirmative action is viewed as an equal division model of reverse biases or discrimination that is not required because of the progress that has been made in the antidiscrimination area. I agree that to some extent, affirmative action has at least tried to address the issues of ethnicity and race based on the ethnic composition of the modern population (Selden, 2006). In sum, from the article, it can be concluded that the managers of private, public and non-profit organizations should understand that despite the strides made by minorities and women, the challenges of eradicating discrimination or biases in the workplace still remain.

On the positive front, they should understand that the educational pipeline for expanding diversity in the workforce is more robust despite the fact that graduation and performance rates of minority students is still low and needs more attention. More significantly, there is a need to explore the connection between substantive policy outcomes and levels of diversity. This is because understanding these connections seems important in exploring understudied areas. Critique 1 I concur with the argument that America has been welcoming a variety of cultures, individuals and races which associate to create a diverse and unique population.

Cases of discrimination can be have been rampant in that there are several occasions where women are earning less than men while doing the same jobs with the same qualifications. It is true that affirmative action was created with the goal of enhancing opportunities for members of minority groups, women, or any other groups subject to biases in the past. Ending discrimination in America is very significant particularly in the workplace because in the international economy, lacking a diverse workforce is embarrassing since it undermines credibility, and hinders business success in dealing with other nations.

Critique 2I agree that Selden’s article ties together many hard issues for a Public Administrator, that all have very in-depth and time-consuming fixes for all concerned parties. I concur with Selden’s assertions that the administrative state struggles to preserve a workforce that reflects America’s diversity that in-turn can actively promote and implement public policies that reflect the needs, values, and aspirations of the groups they represent.