The history of the social, legal, and educational aspects of equal opportunity and equal results are outlined, and the rift between the two principles is described. Equal opportunity laws work, especially when enforced expeditiously, and are supported by most Americans. Equal results laws are a failure and counterproductive. (Author/AL)

In politics, economics, education, and religion, Blacks still largely depend upon White institutions. White resistance to affirmative action means that the subordinate position of Blacks in American society is likely to continue. The only feasible alternative is Black mobilization and organization on a scale parallel to that of the 1960s.…

Presents historical overview of Black women's battle against the dual forces of sexism and racism. Reviews the history of affirmative action. Provides summaries of articles contained in this special issue. The articles concentrate on community, economic/social, and education issues in relation to Black women and affirmative action. (JS)

Explores the implications of "City of Richmond v. Croson," the Supreme Court decision that found set-aside programs for minority businesses unconstitutional. Surveys the major Supreme Court racial discrimination rulings from "Dred Scott" to the present and finds them symptomatic of societal insensitivity to racial injustice and…

Describes the effects of affirmative action on hiring practices in federal agencies dealing with American Indian issues. Indicates that the policy of Indian preference in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Indian Health Service (IHS), begun during the mid-1960s, has had serious negative repercussions for personnel standards. (AF)

Argues that the pervading purpose of the Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution was not only to secure and firmly establish Blacks' freedom, but also to take color or race into account in remedying discrimination in violation of the spirit, if not the letter, of those amendments. (CMG)

Describes the evolution of "race-norming," or "within-group scoring," the practice by which job candidates' scores on employment tests are reported relative to comparison groups of their own race or ethnicity. Contends that race-norming fosters group rather than individual rights and perpetuates the inequality it intends to…

This book tells the story of the California Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI), which became Proposition 209. This initiative promised to end the use of race and gender preferences in state employment, contracting, and education. The complex motivations and maneuvers of the people, organizations, and political parties involved in the effort to end…