Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

Like many programs and policies supported by progressives but opposed by conservatives, affirmative-action programs have unintended bad consequences. The intention of these programs is good, but the consequences are bad. I have always thought that the worst consequences of affirmative-action programs are on the "beneficiaries" themselves. How can you feel good about yourself if you know that you attained your position on the basis of something over which you have no control, such as race? Affirmative-action programs deprive their "beneficiaries" (they're really victims) of that which is most valuable, namely, self-respect. See here for a recent study.