I think the biggest obstacle is the understanding of political objectives which promote affirmative action. While there is method and legislation in place to create the advancement of one community/race/gender/group/clan [fill in your own group here] over another we will never have the harmony necessary to grow all beings in a fair manner that will benefit the individual as well as the group as a whole.

Enforced affirmative action is a political tool that is no different to apartheid, or any of the other practices around the world that enable various race,ethnic,tribal groups to achieve domination over each other. It has negative connotations due to the method in which it is taught, legalised and practised.

The answer for me has to come out of a fair and balanced scenario where all are able to create opportunities at leading a normalised life. If we continue to throw threatening legal scenarios at the leader/builder groups instead of building the disadvantaged groups in a natural manner to become the next leaders/generation then there will always be a lock out scenario creating a blockage to developing the currently disadvantaged.

A catch 22, but affirmative action in its current form is creating a playing field where the previously advantaged become the currently disadvantaged. Sure one has to recognise apartheid and its role to how the currently advantaged got into their position - but we should build on the advantages rather than try to break the previous lot down and force them out. Otherwise we continually bring everything down to the lowest common denominator and nobody gains.

A no win situation for all. The real enemy of affirmative action is the label itself and the underlying tensions which it is creating. Release the tension, create a natural bond to the process which I believe is inherent in all of us good folk in this Country and the skills/stereotyping/recognition sets will come into being.