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Reverse discrimination
 
 
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Reverse discrimination (also sometimes called "reverse racism" or "positive discrimination") is, in its simplest form, the practice of favoring members of a historically disadvantaged group at the expense of members of a historically advantaged group.

The term "reverse discrimination" reflects the belief that the group now being discriminated against had members, or ancestors, previously doing the discriminating.






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Encyclopedia


Reverse discrimination (also sometimes called "reverse racism" or "positive discrimination") is, in its simplest form, the practice of favoring members of a historically disadvantaged group at the expense of members of a historically advantaged group.

The term "reverse discrimination" reflects the belief that the group now being discriminated against had members, or ancestors, previously doing the discriminating. The term is often used to describe the perceived discriminatory effects of government policies (most notably affirmative action
Affirmative action

The term affirmative action refers to policies that take gender, race, or ethnicity into account in an attempt to promote equal opportunity. The focus of such policies ranges from employment and public contracting to educational outreach and health programs ....
).

However, the term itself can be considered racist as it implies that only the historically disadvantaged group can be discriminated against and anything opposite is 'reverse', when in fact the definition of racism applies to all groups.

In the United States

In the United States, the terms "reverse discrimination" and "reverse racism" have been used in past discussions of racial quotas or gender quotas for collegiate admission to government-run educational institutions. Such policies were held to be unconstitutional in the United States, while non-quota race preferences are legal.

Harvard professor Roland Fryer
Roland G. Fryer Jr

Roland Gerhard Fryer, Jr. is a professor of economics at Harvard University. In addition to being affiliated with Harvard University he maintains offices at the National Bureau of Economic Research and W.E.B DuBois Institute....
, however, has argued that there is no logically tenable difference between "quotas" and "goals." The most significant United States Supreme Court case regarding reverse discrimination is Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States on affirmative action. It bars Racial quota in college admissions but affirms the constitutionality of affirmative action programs giving equal access to minorities....
.

In the United Kingdom

In the UK, the term also relates to university admissions or employee hiring.

In India

For example, in India
India

India, officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and outlying territories by total area country by geographical area, the List of countries by population country, and the most populous liberal democracy in the world....
, the term is often used by citizens protesting against reservation and quotas
Reservation in India

Reservation in Indian law is a form of affirmative action whereby a percentage of seats are reserved in the public sector units, Civil service, union and state government departments and in all public and private educational institutions, except in the religious/ linguistic minority educational institutions, for the socially and educationally...
.

See also

  • Affirmative action
    Affirmative action

    The term affirmative action refers to policies that take gender, race, or ethnicity into account in an attempt to promote equal opportunity. The focus of such policies ranges from employment and public contracting to educational outreach and health programs ....
  • Color blindness (race)
  • Gender-blind
    Gender-blind

    Gender-blind is a term describing activities undertaken and services provided without regard to the gender of those who participate....
  • White privilege
  • Women and children first (saying)


External links

  • under the UK Race Relations Act
  • ,
  • ,
  • .