Why America Still Needs Affirmative Action

Affirmative action has gotten a bad rap.Many people think of affirmative action as race-based policies that favor unqualified persons because of the color of their skin. Resentments and misunderstandings flow from such perceptions in part because race remains America’s most inflammatory unfinished business. To ignite a spirited, thoughtful discussion as well as practical action regarding affirmative action, this article briefly discusses what constitutes affirmative action; evaluates why affirmative action programs that consider race, gender, and class remain necessary; and offers some thoughts regarding when affirmative action should end