Is affirmative action really necessary? Better yet, is reverse discrimination an actual problem? Decades after the introduction of race-based preferences in America, the affirmative action debate continues. Discover the pros and cons of the practice and who benefits from it most in college admissions. Learn what effect banning affirmative action in different states has had. Do race-based preferences have a future in America?
A group of white firefighters alleged that the city of New Haven, Conn., discriminated against them when it threw out a test that they passed at a 50% greater rate than blacks. Performance on the test was the basis for promotion. By discarding the test, the city prevented eligible white firefighters from advancing. Does this case, known as Ricci v. DeStefano, constitute reverse discrimination?
How have affirmative action bans in California, Texas and Florida affected student enrollment in public universities in those states? Enrollment of white students has declined following affirmative action’s demise. On the other hand, Asian American enrollment has risen dramatically while black and Latino enrollment has dipped. How can the playing field be leveled?
Debates have raged for years about the pros and cons of race-based preferences. But a review of recent laws and Supreme Court decisions suggests a future without affirmative action.
Affirmative action and minorities are often linked, but are the ethnic groups who need it most reaping its benefits in college admissions? A look at how affirmative action plays out among Asian-American and African-American students suggests maybe not.
Today affirmative action is talked about so much, it seems like the practice has always been around. Actually, race-based preferences arose after hard-fought battles waged by civil rights leaders and acted on by U.S. presidents. Learn which events were the most noteworthy in affirmative action’s history. Then decide for yourself whether affirmative action is necessary.
