When did affirmative action programs start? The history of affirmative action in the United States dates back to the post-World War II era, with the first formal affirmative action programs emerging in the late 1960s. These programs were initially aimed at addressing the long-standing discrimination and inequality faced by marginalized groups, particularly African Americans, in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement.
Affirmative action programs were first introduced through executive orders and legislation. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925, which required federal contractors to take “affirmative action” to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This was a significant step towards promoting equality in employment opportunities.
However, it was not until the early 1970s that affirmative action programs began to gain more widespread recognition and implementation. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, which prohibited discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This legislation laid the groundwork for affirmative action policies to be adopted by both the public and private sectors.
One of the most influential Supreme Court decisions that shaped the landscape of affirmative action was the 1978 case of Regents of the University of California v. Bakke. The case involved Allan Bakke, a white applicant who was denied admission to the University of California, Davis Medical School due to the school’s race-conscious admission policy. The Supreme Court, in a divided decision, ruled that while the university’s policy was not unconstitutional, it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because it was not race-neutral.
Following the Bakke decision, affirmative action programs continued to evolve. In 1972, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidelines that encouraged employers to take affirmative action to address past discrimination. Additionally, the Supreme Court further clarified the legal standards for affirmative action in the 1990s, emphasizing that race-conscious policies must be narrowly tailored and necessary to achieve the compelling interest of promoting diversity.
Today, affirmative action programs continue to be a subject of debate and controversy. While many argue that these programs are essential for addressing historical injustices and promoting diversity, others contend that they lead to reverse discrimination and undermine the principles of meritocracy. The debate over when affirmative action programs started and their effectiveness remains a significant part of the ongoing conversation about equality and justice in the United States.
