Deck 13: Race, Discrimination, and Affirmative Action

Question 1

Obama argues that although the Constitution was stained by slavery, the answer to the slavery question was already embedded in it.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Obama argues that many of the disparities that exist n the African-American community today can be directly traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Wasserstrom argues that affirmative action programs are justified because they help to break down the existing system of racial disadvantage and oppression.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Wasserstrom concedes that affirmative actions programs treat young white males unjustly; however, he argues that the injustice is a necessary step in creating a racially just society.

Question 5

Wasserstrom argues that to be black is to be disadvantaged in terms of most measures of success.

Question 6

Wasserstrom argues against the claim that the best-qualified applicant deserves the job.

Question 7

Pojman argues that affirmative action is unjust because it requires discrimination against young white males.

Question 8

Pojman argues that diversity for diversity's sake is moral promiscuity.

Question 9

Justice Thomas argues that affirmative action stigmatizes all blacks.

Question 10

Wang favors legal remedies for ending weight discrimination.

Question 11

How does Wasserstrom describe our social system?

A) He notes that our social system is one that rewards hard work and determinism.
B) He argues that our social system is one that rewards laziness and ineptitude.
C) He argues that our social system is one of racial oppression.
D) He argues that our social system represents a significant triumph over racial discrimination, highlighted most significantly by the election of the nation's first African-American president.

Question 12

When selecting candidates for preferential treatment, Wasserstrom argues that we should focus on _________.

A) Race
B) Gender
C) Socioeconomic status
D) All of the above

Question 13

Wasserstrom challenges the link between ________.

A) Race and class
B) Poverty and discrimination
C) Qualifications and desert
D) All of the above

Question 14

Pojman argues that affirmative action is unjust because it violates __________.

A) The principle of merit
B) Standards of justice
C) Mandate of impartiality
D) Law of reciprocity

Question 15

On what grounds does Pojman reject the Role Models Argument?

A) One does not need role models of one's own race and gender to succeed.
B) Even if having role models of one's own race and gender were helpful to disadvantaged individuals, such considerations would not justify preferential treatment in hiring.
C) Hiring less qualified individuals to be role models is unlikely to result in a good.
D) All of the above

Question 16

On what grounds does Pojman reject the Compensation Argument?

A) He denies the claim that Blacks have suffered significant harm.
B) He notes that the argument rests on a distorted notion of compensation.
C) He argues that Blacks have already been sufficiently compensated.
D) All of the above

Question 17

What is the Court's decision in Grutter v. Bollinger?

A) The Court ruled that affirmative action programs are unconstitutional because they use minorities as a means to an end.
B) The Court ruled that affirmative action programs are unconstitutional because such programs discriminate against another group of people.
C) The Court ruled that affirmative action programs are constitutional because such programs are a specialized form of retributivism for past injustice.
D) The Court ruled that affirmative action programs are constitutional provided they are "narrowly tailored".

Question 18

Which of the following is the primary argument considered by the Justices in Grutter v. Bollinger?

A) The Role Models Argument
B) The Compensation Argument
C) The Diversity Argument
D) All of the above

Question 19

Wang argues that weight discrimination is a moral injustice.

Question 20

Wang argues that like racism or sexism, "weightism" should be illegal and that the U.S. Supreme Court should impose a quota system requiring corporations that have contracts with the federal government to have at least 20 percent obese persons on their payroll.

Question 21

Wasserstrom claims that our social system is one of racial oppression. Do you agree or disagree with this claim?

Question 22

Do you think affirmative action programs exacerbate racial hostility or lead to a new form of "white collar" racism? On what grounds does Wasserstrom dismiss such concerns?

Question 23

If race is an arbitrary form of discrimination, do you think race-based affirmative action programs are not likewise arbitrary? Discuss.

Question 24

Do you think considerations of race trump considerations of qualifications in selecting applicants for jobs? How does Wasserstrom answer this question? How does Pojman answer this question?

Question 25

Pojman considers four arguments that are commonly advanced for affirmative action and explains why he thinks these arguments are unconvincing. Explain each of these arguments. Do you agree with Pojman that these arguments are unconvincing?'

Question 26

Pojman argues that affirmative action requires discrimination against young white males. Do you agree or disagree with this claim?

Question 27

Do you think affirmative action programs will one day become unnecessary? Do you think we have reached that day? Why or why not?

Question 28

Justice Thomas argues that affirmative action stigmatizes all blacks. What does he mean? Do you agree or disagree with his claim?

Question 29

To what extent do you think people who are obese are responsible for their obesity?

Question 30

Should obese people pay more for health insurance? Consider the following claim: the causal link between obesity and heart disease is well established; since obese persons are greater risks, it is okay for health insurance companies to charge obese people more than they charge people whose weight is normal. Is this claim a form of weight discrimination?