The Defenders Online | A Civil Rights Blog » affirmative action

Romney’s Record on Diversity

The Editors — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:06:50 +0000

By Kenneth J. Cooper
To the list of issues on which Mitt Romney has changed positions—gay rights, universal health care and abortion rights—add affirmative action, that byproduct of the civil rights movement.

Paying Lip Service to Equality

The Editors — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:32:06 +0000

By Lee A. Daniels
The equality-loving – so they say – College Republican club at the University of California at Berkeley yesterday held what they described as a satirical “bake sale” on the storied campus to publicize their opposition to any change in 15-year-old ban against state institutions adopting affirmative action policies.

Thurgood Marshall: Adopting –and Expanding– “Affirmative Action”

The Editors — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:44:57 +0000

By Kenneth J. Cooper
Affirmative action is usually considered a creation of the 1960s, when the civil rights movement culminated in the enactment of a series of federal laws. But the term “affirmative action” was in common usage for at least two decades before then in the civil rights community, laying the groundwork for the systematic efforts to assure a larger place for racial-ethnic minorities and women in employment, higher education and public contracting.

Affirmative Action Versus Diversity?

The Editors — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:47:40 +0000

By Kenneth J. Cooper
The word “diversity” has popular appeal, maybe more so these days than “affirmative action.” But who knew diversity and affirmative action are in conflict at many businesses and colleges?

‘Clout U.’ : The Admissions Scandal at the University of Illinois

The Editors — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:17:54 +0000

By Lee A. Daniels Last May, the Chicago Tribune, began publishing dozens of articles on how the “clout” admissions game worked at the state’s flagship university. Those stories’ revelations were subsequently confirmed by the scathing report of a special committee of investigation chaired by Abner Mikva, the former Congressman and federal judge.

LDF Wins Ballie Award for Fighting Ballot Initiatives Against Affirmative Action

The Editors — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:13:04 +0000

By Smita Ghosh The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) was honored recently for its 2008 battle against deceptive anti-affirmative action ballot initiatives in five states.