race and rights in contemporary US politics 4.5

Question 1

Racial equality

Answer 1

The belief that all races should be treated alike and not be discriminated against either by the state or by private individuals or employers.

Question 2

Affirmative action

Answer 2

A programme giving members of a previously disadvantaged minority group a head start in, e.g., higher education or employment.

Question 3

what are two forms of affirmative actions

Answer 3

• busing
• quotas

Question 4

Busing

Answer 4

The mandated movement of school children between racially homogeneous neighbourhoods — white suburbs and black inner cities — to create racially mixed schools.

Question 5

Quotas

Answer 5

A programme by which a certain percentage (quota) of places in, e.g., higher education or employment is reserved for people from previously disadvantaged minorities.

Question 6

Affirmative action

Answer 6

A programme giving members of a previously disadvantaged minority group a head start in, e.g., higher education or employment.

Question 7

what do republican politicians believe about affirmative action

Answer 7

programmes were both patronising to minorities and unfair to majorities.

Question 8

what do democratic politicians believe about affirmative action

Answer 8

equality of outcome for previously disadvantaged racial groups.

Question 9

what was so controversial about Gratz v Bollinger (2003) and its use of affirmative action

Answer 9

• University of Michigan’s affirmative action based admissions programme for its undergraduate students was
• All black, Hispanic, and American Indian applicants were automatically awarded 20 of the 150 points required
• Court ruled (6–3) that the University of Michigan’s affirmative action-based admissions programme for its undergraduate students was unconstitutional because it was too ‘mechanistic’.

Question 10

what was the outcome of Grutter v Bollinger (2003)

Answer 10

• the Court ruled (5–4) that the University Law School’s admissions programme was constitutional (more individualised)

Question 11

how many years did the supreme court say it would take for affirmative action to erode away

Answer 11

25 years

Question 12

what did Justice Clarence Thomas describe ‘racial programmes’ to be

Answer 12

‘the faddish slogan of the cognoscenti (people who are especially well informed about a particular subject) ’

Question 13

what did ‘Parents involved in Community Schools Inc. v Seattle School District and Meredith v Jefferson County (Kentucky) Board of Education’ dictate

Answer 13

Court declared it unconstitutional to assign students to public schools solely for the purpose of achieving racial balance.

Question 14

what happened in ‘Fisher v University of Texas,’

Answer 14

• Fisher complained that people of ethnic minorities have gone into the univeristy of texas even with grades lower than hers and she didn’t get in

Question 15

agree points for that affirmative action been positive for the USA?

Answer 15

• It helps reverse discrimination and corrects past wrongs.
• These programs increase community diversity, which wouldn’t happen otherwise.
• It opens up education and jobs to minority groups who might not consider them.
• Diverse student bodies create better learning and promote tolerance.
• This is the most effective way the government has supported equal opportunity.
• From 1960 to 1995, Black university graduation rates tripled; as President Clinton said, “affirmative action has been good for America.”

Question 16

disagree points for that affirmative action been positive for the USA?

Answer 16

• Favouring one group can lead to disadvantages for another, sparking resentment.
• Some people may be placed in courses or jobs they aren’t prepared for, leading to struggles.
• Affirmative action can appear patronising, implying minorities need extra help to succeed.
• It reinforces racial divisions, which can perpetuate prejudice.
• Affirmative action often resembles a quota system, creating resentment in majority groups.
• Racial preferences can lower expectations and aspirations for minority groups.