In these remarks, William Bradford Reynolds, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice, discusses American civil rights in the light of past and present Federal policy. A review of constitutional provisions, legislation, and court litigation reveals how policy has variously provided for equality and perpetuated racial discrimination in different social sectors. Mr. Reynolds emphasizes that twice before, the United States has almost achieved a racially-neutral, discrimination-free society, only to revert to sanctioning race as a criterion for regulating rights and allocating opportunities. In the 1970s, it is suggested, the overwhelming concern with racial balance over racial neutrality and the concomitant emphasis on mandatory busing, quotas, and other race-conscious affirmative action techniques, have fostered divisiveness and brought the nation to another civil rights crossroads. Within this climate, Mr. Reynolds emphasizes, the Reagan administration commits itself to a policy of race neutrality rather than race-conscious affirmative action, and accordingly supports voluntary desegregation, injunctive relief mandating racially-neutral employment decisions, and enhanced recruitment efforts to attract qualified minorities into the labor force. (Author/MJL)