Affirmative Action most popularly refers to the set of policies that are aimed at increasing the representation of ethnic and social minorities in employment or eduation. Affirmative action encourages equal opportunity in society and takes into accoun factors such as race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. The presence of affirmative action addresses existing discrimination and works to help eradicate it through its implementation.
| March 6th, 1961 | First appearance of the phrase "affirmative action" in President Johnson's Executive Order 10925 which called for programs that receieved federal funding to ensure that hiring and employment were free of any kind of racial bias. |
| July 2nd,1964 | Civil Rights Act signed by President Johnson which prohibits discrimination of all kinds (color, race, religion, national origin). |
| June 28th, 1978 | Regents of the University of California v. Bakke was a Supreme Court case that limited affirmative action to ensure that providing more opportunities to minorities did not put the majority at a disadvantage, also known as reverse discrimination. As a result, the Court struck down strict quotas for admission. |
| November 3, 1997 | Proposition 209 is enacted in California. |
Proposition 209 (also known as the California Civil Rights Initiative) is a California ballot proposition which was passed in November 1996. This proposition prevented public California institutions from considering race, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin during admissions. Proponents stated that under Prop 209, "preferential treatment" would not be given to any individual or group on the basis of the aforementioned criteria.
For more information, contact Maria Vallarta, Advocacy Coordinator (2011-2012) at pass.advocacy@gmail.com.
