Abstract

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Keywords:: affirmative action policy; affirmative action; minority ethnic group; reverse discrimination; racial discrimination; sex discrimination

Abstract:: Affirmative action, theoretically, is a compensatory measure on the basis of racial and gender non-discrimination aimed at aiding the disadvantaged groups in order to achieve broader social equality in education, employment and other policy spheres. While its constitutionality is rooted in the 14th?Amendment of the US Constitution, its conceptual genesis can be traced to the New Deal era under President Roosevelt. As a concrete policy, however, affirmative action was first introduced by the John F. Kennedy administration and was officially formulated during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. Initially focusing on fighting racism and social inequality, it was broadened to provide some degree of preference for minorities, women and other groups in employment, education and public service contract. As such, ever since its inception as a federal social policy, affirmative action has never ceased to be controversial in American society. These controversies are full of paradox which abundantly reflects the complexities and social sensitivity of affirmative action in America.