The official definition from Merriam-Webster for affirmative action is “ an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women ; also: a similar effort to promote the rights or progress of other disadvantaged persons” Affirmative action was first introduced in 186, after the signing of The Emancipation Proclamation, when General William T. Sherman suggested that sizeable plantations, in Georgia that were under his command, be split up and 40 acres, along with a mule be given to every family of color. He wanted this so that people, who were set free with nothing and nowhere to go, would have at least a chance of succeeding. This was met with a lot of opposition from high power …show more content…
Affirmative action is guaranteeing the civil rights of designated groups of people by taking positive action. Justice William J. Brennan jr. said once that it is to protect these groups of people from “The lingering effects of pervasive discrimination.” Affirmative action really started growing after the case of BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION. Even after a decade after Brown, there was still very little change. Therefore legislatures and business executives mandated positive actions to be appropriated to integrate schools. This was named Green v. County School Board.
Affirmative action has integrated people who would normally never have gotten that job, or gone to that school, to work there and go to that school. Despite the backlash from certain cases of affirmative action, it is an act that helps diversify places that are dominantly one group of people. It has not only helped people of color achieve more opportunities, but it has also helped women to vote and get jobs they never would’ve been able to hold before. It has helped an array of people and continues to help more people.
It has helped so many people and has tried to make sure that everyone gets an equal opportunity. While not always succeeding because of a large amount of discrimination still present today, affirmative action keeps some places