affirmative action

affirmative action

/əˌfɜːmətɪv ˈækʃn/

​the practice or policy of making sure that a particular number of jobs, etc. are given to people from groups that are often treated unfairly because of their race, sex, etc.

The City Council implemented the affirmative action hiring plan in response to critics’ charges that the police department did not reflect the city’s racial makeup.

Affirmative action was most successful in creating opportunities for college-educated women.

Culture

Americans are divided about the US government policy of affirmative action and some say it is reverse discrimination. It has existed since the 1960s, but the Supreme Court has since decided against strict quotas (= numbers of people) and forcing affirmative action on private businesses. The more informal practice in Britain is sometimes known as positive discrimination.

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