Affirmative Action Reconsidered:

The current attack on affirmative action in the United States is based on a series of misconceptions about the nature and operation of affirmative action programs. Critics claim that gender or race consciousness is inherently "reverse discrimination." In the article which follows this and other objections to affirmative action are explored and critiqued. A review of the relevant case law suggests that the poor quality of the posture and litigation of affirmative action cases has helped to reinforce the negative mythology. It is further suggested that the full socio-economic integration of women and minorities into American society must be understood as underlying affirmative action programs and that federal law must be understood as fully supportive of these policies.