Affirmative Action Resources
taking action for an inclusive future
Stay up to date on resources on affirmative action for the workplace
We believe that diversity and inclusion are crucial to achieving success in any organization or community. We recognize the recent Supreme Court ruling has a significant impact on many of our community members, as well as the potential impact on the future of diversity and inclusion in workplaces and beyond.
The Supreme Court’s decision to reverse affirmative action ignores hundreds of years of state-sanctioned violence against communities of color. In the words of Jay-Z, “Lock my body, can’t lock my mind.” This ruling is one of the worst kinds of violence against humanity — preventing people from dreaming and experiencing life beyond their circumstances and wildest imaginations.
YOUR STORY MATTERS
We will be elevating the voices of those who Affirmative Action has positively impacted to showcase the importance of programs like this. We would love for you to share your story—email info@womenpm.org.
WHY IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IMPORTANT?
Many negative connotations accompany the term “affirmative action.” Headlines almost exclusively focus on what I refer to as corrective affirmative action efforts, such as quotas, set-asides, point systems, etc. These efforts clearly violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and are highly restricted by the Supreme Court. They are a temporary last resort reserved for when literally nothing else will work to stop discrimination in the workplace, and they are rare.
Still, some believe that affirmative action means taking something from one group and giving it to another. In fact, it is exactly the opposite—the goals of affirmative action programs are rooted in making sure that is not happening (and does not become necessary).
Regardless of whether the words “affirmative action” are used in public forums, the programs’ visibility and the efforts entailed can and should be elevated both within federal contractor organizations and in the public eye.
Source: HR Daily Advisor
RESOURCES
From workplace resources, books, and podcasts, here are a few tools to dive deeper into. We’ll be updating this regularly:
Workplace Resources
Ways to Implement an Affirmative Action Plan
Examples of Affirmative Action in the Workplace
How to Protect Work Diversity Programs Post-Affirmative Action
Books
When Affirmative Action was White by Ira Katznelson
We Are Not Yet Equal by Carol Anderson
For Discrimination: Race, Affirmative Action, and the Law by Randall Kennedy
Podcasts
The Supreme Court Rules Against Affirmative Action – Wall Street Journal
The Affirmative Action Ruling – What You Really Need to Know – The Changemaker
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