--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [A]ffirmative action in the United States…" description: "\"[A]ffirmative action in the United States has made blacks. . .who have largely lifted themselves out of poverty, look like people who owe their rise to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/thomas-sowell-247_action_a-ffirmative-action-in-the-united-states_2248323.jpg" --- # \[A\]ffirmative action in the United States has made blacks… ![“[A]ffirmative action in the United States has made blacks. . .who have largely lifted themselves out of poverty, look like people who owe their rise to affirmative action and other government programs.” quote by Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/thomas-sowell-247_action_a-ffirmative-action-in-the-united-states_2248323.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/thomas-sowell-247_action_a-ffirmative-action-in-the-united-states_2248323.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/thomas-sowell-247_action_a-ffirmative-action-in-the-united-states_2248323.jpg) > “\[A\]ffirmative action in the United States has made blacks. . .who have largely lifted themselves out of poverty, look like people who owe their rise to affirmative action and other government programs.” [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Affirmative action is portrayed as a crutch, implying that beneficiaries owe their success to it rather than personal effort. **In simple terms:** Affirmative action seen as a dependency. Key Takeaway Recognize personal agency beyond policy aid. Themes policy race economics Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical controversial When to use this quote - education - employment - poverty alleviation - public discourse Key Concepts social mobility public assistance Questions to Reflect On - How does affirmative action truly impact socioeconomic mobility? - What evidence supports or refutes this view? A Different Perspective Overlooks systemic barriers and individual achievements. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Affirmative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmative/) [Affirmative action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmative-action/) [Blacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blacks/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government programs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-programs/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) ## Related quotes > [The fact is that in too many parts of our country, we still have discrimination. And affirmative action is not just something that applies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-fact-is-that-in-too-many-parts-of-our-country-we-still-have/) [John F. 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