Affirmative Action
James Wright
7 min read
Listen to this study note
Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers affirmative action and the Equal Protection Clause. Key concepts include the goals and controversies of affirmative action, the idea of a "colorblind" Constitution, the meaning and importance of the Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment), landmark Supreme Court cases like Brown v. Board, Bakke, Grutter, and Gratz, and how these cases have shaped the use of race in college admissions. The guide also provides practice questions and exam tips for the AP US Government exam.
#AP US Government: Affirmative Action & Equal Protection - The Night Before Review 🚀
Hey! Let's get you prepped and confident for your AP Gov exam. We're diving into Affirmative Action and the Equal Protection Clause – key topics that often pop up. Think of this as your ultimate cheat sheet for tonight!
#Introduction to Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is all about creating a level playing field. It's about policies and programs designed to boost equal opportunities and diversity, especially in education and jobs. 🎯
It aims to correct past discrimination by giving a leg up to historically underrepresented groups like women and minorities.
#What's the Big Deal?
It's controversial! Some say it's essential to fix past wrongs, while others argue it's reverse discrimination. It’s a hot topic with strong opinions on both sides. 🔥
#Key Terms to Know
- Equal opportunity: Everyone gets a fair shot, regardless of race, gender, etc.
- Diversity: Having a mix of different people (races, ethnicities, genders).
- Historically underrepresented groups: Groups that faced past discrimination (women, minorities).
- Special consideration: Extra support to help these groups succeed.
- Reverse discrimination: The idea that affirmative action hurts some groups (like white men).
- Merit-based principles: Hiring/admitting based on qualifications, not race.
- Legal challenges: Court cases questioning affirmative action policies.
- Supreme Court decisions: Key rulings like Bakke and Grutter.
- Use of race: Considering race in decisions (like college admissions).
- Narrowly tailored programs: Programs designed to fix past wrongs without causing new ones.
Think of affirmative action as a 'corrective lens' - it aims to fix imbalances but needs to be carefully focused to avoid distortion.
#The "Colorblind" Constitution
This idea suggests t...
How are we doing?
Give us your feedback and let us know how we can improve