Affirmative action is the familiar term for public and private policies adopted by federal and state governmental agencies, universities, colleges, corporations, and other public and private institutions in the United States to remedy the disparities between historically disadvantaged groups and White males. These policies actively seek inclusion and promotion of African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, women, and persons with disabilities in order to diversify a workforce or organization.

Overview

Affirmative action is a policy instituted in public and private organizations and institutions to purposefully and intentionally recruit and promote individuals who have historically been discriminated against and excluded from participating in mainstream political and social activities. Such policies were launched in the 1960s and 1970s after Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson issued executive ...

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