基线

Affirmative action is an umbrella term for a variety of policies and practices that, taken together, aim to promote a level playing field for all individuals, regardless of certain protected characteristics like race, gender, and ethnicity. This system of equity was initially enacted in the United States as part of President Johnson’s Great Society initiatives in 1965, and since then, many governments have adopted similar laws.
Most fundamentally, affirmative action stands for the principle of proportional representation, or the idea that protected individuals should be represented in numbers and in roles that reflect their respective proportions in the population. For example, affirmative action policies might reserve a certain number of seats in a college admission setting, professional hiring process, or a political election to increase access to such opportunities for traditionally underrepresented individuals.
At the same time, affirmative action is grounded in the idea of “positive action.” This means that, in addition to reserving certain opportunities, affirmative action is also intended to help counter negative conditioning and systemic inequality in the workforce, education sector, and the political realm. By proactively bolstering diversity, affirmative action policies work to level the playing field and reduce group privilege.
Naturally, the implementation of affirmative action has been much contested. Many criticize it for upending the idea of meritocracy and perceived “reverse-discrimination” against non-protected individuals. Moreover, there is criticism for the lack of success in achieving tangible results and the phenomenon of hoarding or tokenism of protected individuals. Despite its efficacy, it is evident that affirmative action is a complex issue.
At the end of the day, affirmed action is a difficult but necessary component of the fight for a fairer and more equitable world. While its long-term impacts remain largely to be seen, it is nevertheless responsible for shining a light on systemic inequality and inspiring openness to diversity and change. Indeed, it is a work-in-progress, but its endeavor is an inspiring one.