affirmative action
As the Supreme Court stated in its landmark June 23 decision in the University of Michigan cases, affirmative action remains a "compelling state interest." As the debate around affirmative action continues, further legal attacks are probable, and the alternative "opportunity-based" California, Texas and Florida admissions programs are not working. Whats needed is a proactive plan to broaden the support of affirmative action so that a majority of Americans understand its importance. ... We must keep in mind that affirmative action was conceived as a means to provide access, primarily to African Americans, who were systematically and legally denied access to education and jobs until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.