In America, there are a handful of issues that bring instant controversy — affirmative action is a prime example.

President John F. Kennedy first introduced the term “affirmative action” in 1961 as a way of rectifying discrimination that persisted despite civil rights laws and constitutional guarantees.

The policy of affirmative action and its intent was necessary to correct the many injustices that occurred prior to the Civil Rights Act. Additionally, affirmative action provided an opportunity to many African Americans that might not have had a chance at higher education otherwise. This was an acceptable and noble response to redress segregationist policies.

As time has passed, so has the need for America to continue to practice the policy of affirmative action. Over the last few decades, the scope of affirmative action has become so narrow that the practice no longer has merit.

Society should focus on providing support for minorities — all races — via education early in life, not during one’s late teen or young adult years.

By the mid 1970s, the flaws of affirmative action began to surface. The Regents of the University of California v. Bakke in 1978 led to the Supreme Court ruling that the use of racial quotes was unconstitutional.

In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that the formulaic approach of the University of Michigan’s undergraduate admissions program, which used a point system to rate students and awarded additional points to minorities, had to be modified.

Last November, the voters of the state of Michigan spoke on the issue of affirmative action, with 58 percent voting against it.

Affirmative action, originally meant to correct a wrong by society and level the playing field, has suppressed the African American community.

Using affirmative action to obtain positions, jobs and admittance to universities casts a shadow over the ability of those who advance in the arms of this policy.

It doesn’t get at the root of problems such as inequality and opportunities. Kids of all races should be assisted early in the educational process.

Education is the silver bullet when it comes to opportunity and success. We need to invest more in our schools and teachers so that we may give all children the best possible chance at having a prosperous life.

We don’t need a world where people look over their shoulder and wonder how the person next to them got where they are today.

In America, if we strive to support and provide opportunities to everyone before they embark on higher education, then this doubt will no longer exist.

Accordingly, everyone will know that those next to them are there based on merit, not because of the color of their skin.

The late, great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated it best when he said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Character and merit need to be built before college.

America should continue to phase out affirmative action. The scope of the policy has already started too narrow.

As society takes steps to end the practice of affirmative action we must fill the void with more attention to elevating the youth of the country.

Affirmative action has done wonders, but for America to move forward we must do it together, not by race. Let’s turn Dr. King’s dream into a reality — sooner than later.

E-mail Matt your thoughts on affirmative action at [email protected].