ERIC Number: EJ937044
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1011-3487
EISSN: N/A
The Affirmative Action Debate: A Critical Reflection
van Wyk, Berte
South African Journal of Higher Education, v24 n2 p358-366 2010
In this article I contend that we cannot divorce affirmative action from issues about race and racism. Further, debates on affirmative action have to acknowledge the power of words/concepts/definitions and how they can be constructed and used for the purposes of domination or liberation. I argue that, in debating affirmative action, we have to disrupt rather than reinforce dominant, yet illusory racial frames in the public's mind. In order to get a better understanding of debates, I explore the institutional context of the University of Cape Town. In my response to Soudien, Benatar, and Botsis I draw on ideas about the racial contract (Mills 1997), social justice concerns, and the political role of the university. Finally, I explore the role of universities in the transformation of societies.
Descriptors: Social Justice, Race, Affirmative Action, Reflection, Racial Factors, Institutional Characteristics, Debate, Politics of Education, College Role, Economic Impact, Rhetorical Criticism, Change Strategies, Organizational Change, Social Change
Unisa Press. Preller Street, P.O. Box 392, Muckleneuk, Pretoria 0003, South Africa. Tel: +27-24-298960; Fax: +27-24-293449; e-mail: sajhe@vodamail.co.za; Web site: http://www.sajhe.org.za
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A