Affirmative Action: A History
- Posted by: alexandra_hoefinger
- on August 14, 2008 at 6:47 pm
The struggle to define—and achieve—equality in education
See also “The Fixer,” our profile of Ward Connerly and his state-by-state campaign to end racial quotas.
1865
During Reconstruction, the Freedmen’s Bureau is established to promise equal education and employment opportunities for former slaves.
1961
President Kennedy issues Executive Order 10925, designed to eliminate discrimination in federal agencies.
1964
President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, outlawing discrimination of all kinds based on race, creed, color, or national origin.
1972
The Equal Employment Opportunity Act is passed, laying the foundation for affirmative-action laws.
1978
In Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, the Supreme Court rules 5 to 4 against inflexible racial quotas in college admissions.
1980
In Fullilove v. Klutznick, the Supreme Court rules in favor of reasonable admission and hiring quotas by allowing that 10 percent of federal funds for public works go to qualified minorities.
1995
President Clinton endorses federal affirmative-action policies with his message “Mend it, don’t end it.”
1996
California Proposition 209 is passed, implementing statewide bans on racial quotas in public education, employment, and contracts.
1998
The people of Washington State follow California in banning affirmative action, passing Initiative 200.
2000
Florida passes the “One Florida” plan, but incorporates a program that guarantees the top 20 percent of high school students admission to the University of Florida system.
2003
In two cases on the University of Michigan’s admission policies, the Supreme Court finds that the school can work to create a diverse student body, but could not use race as an overriding factor in admissions.
2006
Voters in Michigan pass the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, resulting in a statewide ban on affirmative action in colleges and government contracting.
2008
Voters in Arizona, Colorado, and Nebraska will say yea or nay to affirmative-action bans in schools and government contracts on November 4.
DISCUSSION: 1 Comment
The history of this country is full of why equality has continued to be a moving target. Ward Connerly is just another example of someone who can’t see the forest for the trees. The aforementioned historical review of affirmative action points to the every changing view in this country that some how we just forget about 300+ years of slavery and injustice and say that if we all just made the necessary effort to get along and treat each other the same we can all have the American dream. The educational apartheid which has been here since the first school house was built continues today. It lives on the idea that if can afford a good education you can get one. If you can’t too bad,you’ll just live a substandard life and be happy.Affirmative action was just a belief, not rooted in any kind of fiscal remedy. So the historical facts and decisions that have been used to further put any kind of real relief in the hands of people who deserve justice will continue to ways to keep America doing the same things its’ done for over 300 years.Our educational system has never been equal. It will continue to be unequal and racially isolated until it dies under its’ own weight of guilt.