Affirmative Action

Debate
ORIGINS:

● The term “Affirmative Action” was presented in 1961 by

President John F. Kennedy
● Intended to stand for action that needed to be taken when an
act of discrimination against minorities was committed.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Established to ensure that “affirmative action” was taken against those who were
found guilty of discrimination.

Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and backed by Executive Order 11246

Reverse Discrimination

● By the late 1970’s the negative effects of affirmative action became

present to others
● White males were now being discriminate against in order for
schools and businesses to fill their “quotas” for minorities.
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION RULES:

● Allow everyone a chance to speak

● Listen respectfully and actively
● Criticize ideas, not individuals
● Commit to learning, not debating
● Avoid blame, speculation, inflammatory language
● Avoid assumptions about others, especially based on their
perceived social group
 Pick a Side!
Is Affirmative Action just
and fair for all people
within institutions?
YES or NO
Should affirmative action
policies be removed from
institutions?
How is Affirmative Action
beneficial to the people?
How? In what instances?
 Has affirmative action
become a form of reverse
discrimination or do
minorities still need more
time to achieve social and
economic equality?
 Conclusion:
Write a reflection on your
stance on Affirmative
Action using arguments
from the class discussion.