What is affirmative action? Explained.
- What is affirmative action?
- The history of the word Affirmative Action
- Definition of the world
- Example of affirmative Action
What is affirmative action?
Affirmative action refers to policies and programmes that aim to increase the representation of marginalized or underrepresented groups in areas such as education, employment, and government contracting. These policies often involve targeted outreach and recruitment efforts as well as the setting of goals or quotas for the representation of specific groups. The goal of affirmative action is to level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for historically marginalized groups.
The history of the word "affirmative action"
The term "affirmative action" was first used in the United States in the early 1960s by President John F. Kennedy in an executive order that called for government contractors to take "affirmative action" to ensure that hiring and employment practises were free of discrimination. Since then, the concept has been expanded to include a wide range of policies and programmes designed to increase representation and opportunities for marginalised or underrepresented groups in various areas such as education, employment, and government contracting. The history of affirmative action is closely tied to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and the ongoing efforts to address systemic discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all individuals.
Definition of affirmative action:
Affirmative action refers to policies and programs that are implemented by institutions or organizations to actively increase representation and opportunities for marginalized or underrepresented groups. These groups may include people of color, women, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disadvantaged communities. The goal of affirmative action is to promote diversity and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background.
Example of affirmative action:
One example of affirmative action is the use of race-conscious admissions policies in higher education. Under these policies, colleges and universities may consider an applicant's race as one factor among many when making admissions decisions, with the goal of increasing the enrollment of underrepresented groups such as African Americans and Latino students. These policies may include targeted recruitment efforts and outreach programmes to underrepresented communities, as well as the setting of goals or quotas for the enrollment of students from these groups. Another example of affirmative action is in employment, where companies have been required to have a certain percentage of their workforce come from underrepresented groups. This can be done by setting goals or quotas for the hiring and promotion of individuals from these groups and by implementing targeted recruitment and training programs.
Further reading suggestion
Books and Articles
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The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions" by William G. Bowen and Derek Bok. This book presents data on the effects of race-conscious admissions policies at elite colleges and universities and argues in favor of affirmative action.
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"Affirmative Action and Minority Enrollments in Medical and Law Schools" by Richard Sander. This study argues that affirmative action policies in education can have negative effects on the academic performance and career prospects of minority students.
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"Mismatch: How Affirmative Action Hurts Students, It's Intended to Help, and Why Universities Won't Admit It" by Richard Sander and Stuart Taylor Jr. This book expands on the argument made in Sander's study and claims that affirmative action policies lead to "mismatch," where minority students are placed in academic environments that are too challenging for them.
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"The Affirmative Action Debate" edited by Ronald Dworkin. This book is a collection of essays by scholars and legal experts on both sides of the affirmative action debate, addressing the legal, moral, and practical aspects of the issue.
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"Race, Gender, and Affirmative Action" edited by Susan Welch and Cornel West. This book is a collection of essays by scholars and activists that examine the intersection of race, gender, and affirmative action, as well as the ongoing debate over these policies.
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"The Future of Affirmative Action: New Paths to Higher Education Diversity after Fisher v. the University of Texas" by Gary Orfield and Wilbert J. Cooper. This book examines the implications of the Fisher v. University of Texas case for affirmative action policies in higher education and offers suggestions for alternative approaches to increasing diversity on college campuses.
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