Affirmative action is a set of policies which are designed to promote inclusion of all individuals, thereby addressing concerns about discrimination. Some form of affirmative action has been present since the late 1800s, but the push for more extensive laws and the enforcement of affirmative action really began in the 1960s with the Civil Rights movement in the United States. There are a number of misconceptions about affirmative action, with critics calling it “reverse discrimination” and arguing that it enforces barriers between people, rather than breaking them down.

Several issues are designed to be addressed with affirmative action. The first is a past history of discrimination, with affirmative action laws recognizing the fact that many people have been excluded historically from jobs, schools, and social endeavors, and that in many cases, this historic pattern of exclusion has created disadvantages. Concerns about current discrimination are also designed to be addressed by affirmative action, as are desires to create a more fully integrated and diverse society.

Many laws and policies related to discrimination issues revolve around the idea of equal opportunity, with supporters arguing that everyone should have a chance for success in society, and that people may be at a disadvantage because of race, ethnic origin, creed, sexual orientation, or gender. Rather than giving preference to minorities, affirmative action laws are supposed to ensure that minorities are included, and to reward the inclusion of diversity. These laws also recognize that there are differences between people and that these differences need to be addressed, rather than taking a “colorblind” view, which can often be a disservice to minorities.

A simple example of an affirmative action law is a law which states that landlords cannot deny rental units to people on the basis of race or family status. These types of laws are specifically designed to pinpoint examples of discrimination and make it clear that such discrimination is not legal. Another example might be a law which gives preference to government bids which include the use of minority subcontractors. People will not automatically win a bid for subcontracting to a female painting crew, for example, but they will be given more weight in the decision making process.

Many nations have laws on the books which fall under the umbrella of affirmative action. In addition, many companies and government agencies have policies which are designed to promote diversity. These policies do not just benefit the minorities who are protected and promoted under such policies. They also benefit the company and the workplace as a whole, because including people from diverse backgrounds can contribute to more diverse ideas and ways of working. The direct combating of discrimination through such policies is also designed to reduce the cultural, socioeconomic, and class gaps between people of differing backgrounds.