Affirmative Action in USA | Equal Education Policy for All

Affirmative Action in USA

👉 What is Affirmative Action?

Affirmative action is a policy or practice that aims to increase opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in areas such as education and employment. It can take many forms, such as setting quotas for hiring or admissions, providing scholarships or other financial assistance, or offering training and outreach programs.

Affirmative action is often controversial, with some people arguing that it gives unfair advantages to certain groups and discriminates against others. However, supporters of affirmative action argue that it is necessary to level the playing field and create a more just and equitable society.

The first affirmative action policies in the United States were enacted in the 1960s, following the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These policies were designed to address the legacy of discrimination against African Americans and other minority groups. In the years since, affirmative action has been extended to other groups, such as women, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Affirmative action is a complex and controversial issue, but it is one that is likely to continue to be debated for many years to come.

👉 Examples of Affirmative Action

Some examples of Affirmative Action are - (i) A College or university that sets aside a certain number of slots for minority students in its incoming class. (ii) A company that creates a training program for women and minorities who are interested in working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields. (iii) A government agency that gives preference to minority-owned businesses when awarding contracts.

Affirmative Action is not without its critics. Some people argue that it is unfair to give preferential treatment to certain groups, and that it can lead to reverse discrimination. Others argue that affirmative action is no longer necessary, as discrimination against minority groups is no longer widespread.

Despite these criticisms, affirmative action remains a controversial but important policy in the United States. It is a policy that is designed to address the legacy of discrimination and to create a more just and equitable society.

👉 Recent controversy over Affirmative Action in the United States

The recent controversy over affirmative action in the United States centers around two cases that were heard by the Supreme Court in October 2022. The first case, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard, challenged Harvard University's admissions policies, which the plaintiff argued discriminated against Asian American applicants. The second case, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, challenged the University of North Carolina's admissions policies, which the plaintiff argued discriminated against Asian American and white applicants.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in both cases, effectively striking down Affirmative Action in college admissions. The court held that race cannot be a factor in college admissions decisions, except in very limited circumstances.

The ruling has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters of Affirmative Action argue that it is necessary to ensure that all students, regardless of their race, have equal opportunities to attend college. They also argue that Affirmative Action helps to create a more diverse student body, which is beneficial to all students. Opponents of Affirmative Action argue that it is unfair to discriminate against students based on their race. They also argue that Affirmative Action does not actually help to close the achievement gap between white students and students of color.

The Supreme Court's ruling is likely to have a significant impact on college admissions in the United States. It remains to be seen how colleges and universities will adjust their admissions policies in the wake of the ruling.

👉 Affirmative Action: details about the two cases

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard: The plaintiff, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc., is a group that advocates for race-neutral admissions policies. The group argued that Harvard's admissions policies discriminated against Asian American applicants by using a "personal rating" system that gave preference to white and Asian American applicants who were perceived as being more "likable," "courageous," and "kind."

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: The plaintiff, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc., argued that the University of North Carolina's admissions policies discriminated against Asian American and white applicants by using a "holistic" admissions process that gave preference to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial minorities.

The Supreme Court's ruling in these cases is a major setback for affirmative action in the United States. It remains to be seen how colleges and universities will adjust their admissions policies in the wake of the ruling. However, it is clear that the debate over affirmative action is far from over.

👉 Controversies over Affirmative Action in the previous years

(i) In 2022, the state of California banned the use of affirmative action in public college admissions.

(ii) In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a white firefighter who was denied a promotion because he scored lower on a test than a black firefighter. The court found that the firefighter's race was a "determinative factor" in the decision not to promote him.

(iii) In 2020, the University of Texas at Austin was sued by a group of white students who alleged that the school's affirmative action policy discriminated against them. The case is still pending.

On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against affirmative action in college admissions. The 6-3 ruling, in the case of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard, found that Harvard's use of race as a factor in admissions was not narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest.

👉 Supporters’ reaction over the Affirmative Action

"This is a devastating blow to racial justice in America." - Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund

"The Supreme Court has turned its back on the history of discrimination in this country and the importance of diversity in our schools." - Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

👉 Opponents’ reaction over the Affirmative Action

"This is a great day for equal opportunity and for colorblind justice." - Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc.

"The Supreme Court has finally put an end to the use of racial quotas in college admissions." - Ward Connerly, former chairman of the California Civil Rights Initiative

However, the ruling was a major victory for opponents of Affirmative Action, who have argued that it is a form of reverse discrimination. The ruling is also likely to have a significant impact on Affirmative Action policies at colleges and universities across the country.

In the wake of the ruling, some colleges and universities have already announced that they will be ending their affirmative action programs. Others are likely to follow suit, as they face the threat of legal challenges from opponents of affirmative action.

The ruling is likely to be met with mixed reactions. Some people will celebrate it as a victory for racial equality, while others will decry it as a setback for minority students. The ruling is also likely to reignite the debate over affirmative action in the United States, a debate that has been going on for decades.

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