Affirmative Action

Definition

Affirmative action is a policy that aims to increase opportunities in the workplace or education for underrepresented parts of society by considering race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Related terms

Discrimination: Unfair treatment of different categories of people based on characteristics such as race, age, or sex.

Civil Rights Act (1964): A landmark law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools and workplaces.

Quota System: A system often associated with affirmative action policies where a certain percentage of opportunities are specifically reserved for certain minority groups.