Affirmative action

Affirmative Action

Affirmative action (pronounced: /əˈfɜːrmətɪv ˈækʃən/) is a policy or a program that seeks to redress past discrimination through active measures to ensure equal opportunity, as in education and employment.

Etymology

The term "affirmative action" was first used in the United States in Executive Order 10925 and was coined by President John F. Kennedy's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity in 1961 to ensure that government contractors "take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin."

Related Terms

• Equal opportunity
• Discrimination
• Diversity (business)
• Reverse discrimination
• Quota system
• Meritocracy

See Also

• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Title IX

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Affirmative action
• Wikipedia's article - Affirmative action

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