NCJ Number
59128
Journal
U S NEWS AND WORLD REPORT Volume: 80 Dated: (MARCH 29, 1976) Pages: 26-29
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
WHETHER THE COURTS AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ARE PUSHING TOO HARD TO PREVENT AND CORRECT BIAS AT THE EXPENSE OF WHITES AND MALES IS ADDRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE.
Abstract
WRITTEN BEFORE THE BAKKE DECISION, THE ARTICLE STATES THAT MANY AMERICANS FEEL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS ARE BEING PERVERTED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST WHITES AND MALES. SINCE THE ISSUE CAME INTO THE OPEN, SUITS OF REVERSE DISCRIMINATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN INCREASING NUMBERS. COURTS, MEANWHILE, ARE SPLIT ON WHETHER WHITES HAVE A RIGHT TO RELIEF ON GROUNDS OF REVERSE DISCRIMINATION. CRITICS CLAIM THAT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION GOALS HAVE BECOME RIGID QUOTAS GIVING BLACKS AND WOMEN PREFERENCE FOR JOBS AND UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN REPLACED BY EQUAL RESPRESENTATION. MOREOVER, PERSONNEL TESTS HAVE BEEN ATTACKED FOR HAVING LITTLE BEARING ON WHETHER AN APPLICANT CAN DO THE JOB. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN THE ACADEMIC SETTING. CRITICS THERE POINT TO THE CONFUSING AND 'MECHANISTIC' REGULATIONS ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CLAIMING THEY WERE DEVELOPED MAINLY FOR BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY. MANY REGARD THE REVERSE DISCRIMINATION CHARGE AS A THREAT TO THE WHOLE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ANTIDISCRIMINATION EFFORTS. ONLY THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISIONS CAN ASSURE WHERE THE ANTIDISCRIMINATION RIGHTS OF MINORITIES AND WOMEN END AND WHERE THOSE OF WHITES AND MALES BEGIN. (MJW)