Which policy favors historically disadvantaged minority groups in admissions or hiring and raises issues of reverse discrimination?

• A. Little Rock Nine
• B. Civil Rights Act of 1964
• C. Freedom Riders
• D. Affirmative Action

Answer: (D)

Affirmative action is a policy that favors historically disadvantaged minority groups in admissions or hiring, and it has sparked debates about reverse discrimination. It emerged to address the lasting effects of discrimination by allowing race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics to be considered as part of a holistic review in college admissions and employment decisions. The goal is to increase representation and create more diverse, inclusive institutions and workplaces.

This approach contrasts with simply prohibiting discrimination; while laws like the Civil Rights Act prohibit unequal treatment, affirmative action goes further by actively promoting opportunities for groups that have faced systemic barriers. The concept has been debated because some people feel they are disadvantaged when they are not in the targeted group, which is the core of the reverse-discrimination concern. Over time, courts have allowed race to be one factor among many rather than a quota, shaping how affirmative action is implemented in practice.