Reverse Discrimination

Affirmative Action: Promoting Equality of Opportunity

In 1965, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signed an executive order to prohibit discrimination in education and employment based on race and gender. Federal contractors are required to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, or gender. employers are expected to give members of the historically (economically or educationally) disadvantaged groups (blacks, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians, and Asians) [Page 1145]special consideration in admissions and in hiring. The purpose of an affirmative action program is to redress past discrimination against women and minorities By pushing employers to try harder—to cast a wider net seeking out blacks among the best and not the best among blacks. The program is aimed at leveling the playing field for all in education and employment.

A group of white male businessmen, a segment of the population that may be targeted By reverse discrimination, which occurs when members of historically underrepresented groups are hired or promoted over members of the majority group.

Critics of affirmative action have argued that the practice is an unwarranted punishment to white males. Giving special consideration to members of underrepresented groups in admissions, hiring, and promotions would give unfair advantages to women and minorities and in turn has adversely affected white males. Some label such governments intervention as positive discrimination and challenge it on legal and moral grounds:

Reverse discrimination undermines the core values of equality and fairness in American society. After outlawing discrimination based on race and gender in the society, everyone should be treated the same way (equality). Giving special consideration to members of the underrepresented groups in admissions and employment is unfair to members of the majority group.

The counterclaim would be that few have raised questions about social justice when applicants receive special consideration if they meet one of the following nonrace, nongender-based affirmative action criteria used in admissions or employment: athletes, specially talented, low-income family, geographical location, religion, disability, war veterans, children of donors (alumni, faculty, or staff), or having personal or professional ties to current (or former) workers.

Reverse discrimination violates the principle of meritocracy and lowers the overall productivity in the society. To get the best-qualified candidates, selection, rewards, and promotions should be based solely on merits and not on irrelevant characteristics such as race or gender.

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