A discussion on a recent OP raised some questions for me about quotas. I haven’t thought a lot about it, but after a lengthy job search I understand that applicants who identify as veterans get a guaranteed interview, but that hiring decisions are based on qualifications and the best candidate. Is that how it works for people who are challenged by ethnic discrimination and poverty – that we eliminate that first strike against them and throw those applications into the pool being considered? And if they are thrown into that pool, does it extend to hiring/admitting decisions? Would it help if, before the applications are forwarded to the decision-makers, that data were removed?
Here is a very brief article and timeline addressing this idea. I like what Texas came up with. I’m not including the whole timeline, only the first and last entries and those that had to do with the recent Harvard case.
<blockquote>https://www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/us/affirmative-action-fast-facts/index.html
(CNN)Here is some background information about affirmative action as well as a few notable court cases.
Affirmative action policies focus on improving opportunities for groups of people, like women and minorities, who have been historically excluded in United States’ society. The initial emphasis was on education and employment. President John F. Kennedy was the first president to use the term in an Executive Order.
Facts
Supporters argue that affirmative action is necessary to ensure racial and gender diversity in education and employment. Critics state that it is unfair and causes reverse discrimination.
Racial quotas are considered unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court.
The state of Texas replaced its affirmative action plan with a percentage plan that guarantees the top 10% of high-school graduates a spot in any state university in Texas. California and Florida have similar programs.
Timeline (selected cases)
1954 – The US Supreme Court, in Brown v. Board of Education, rules that the “separate but equal” doctrine violates the Constitution.
November 17, 2014 – Students for Fair Admissions sues Harvard University, alleging Harvard intentionally discriminates against Asian-Americans. Students for Fair Admissions is run by Edward Blum, a conservative advocate, who sought Asian-Americans rejected by Harvard.
October 15, 2018 – The lawsuit against Harvard filed in 2014 by Students for Fair Admissions goes to trial.
October 1, 2019 – US District Court Judge Allison Burroughs upholds Harvard’s admissions process in the Students for Fair Admissions case, ruling that while Harvard’s admissions process is “not perfect,” she would not “dismantle a very fine admissions program that passes constitutional muster, solely because it could do better.”</blockquote>
Questions: What are quotas exactly? Why do we have them? How do they work? Are we past the need for them? Have they been effective?