William Banks' 1984 article "Afro-American Scholars in the University" situated Black faculty at predominantly White institutions in a milieu noting the uses and misuses of Black scholars, constituencies in conflict, the range of responses from Black scholars, and the standards and realities for their advancement in academia. Banks…

This article presents an interview with Ronald Takaki, a prolific and respected author and a successful teacher who wrote a number of important histories that explore the cultural diversity of the United States of America, including "From Different Shores: Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity in America" (1994), "Strangers from a…

Today, the United States stands at a critical crossroad with regard to civil rights; the choice is between an officially colorblind society and a government-supported, race-conscious one. The purpose of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments was to end a discriminatory system and to erect in its place a regime of race neutrality. In 1896, the…

Issues regarding the equal employment of white ethnic Americans are discussed in this presentation by the Executive Director of the Polish American Congress. It is held that Federal efforts to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, and national origin are actually only acting to overcome discrimination based on race, color, and…

Presents the views of four white graduate students at the University of California, Berkeley who do not support the recent elimination of affirmative action policies for job applicants and student admissions. Their opinions argue that white men should support equity in education and society. (SLD)

Suggests that the notion of "reverse discrimination" is a cultural belief representing a racial ideological process. Describes how the notion (1) emerged from past racial belief patterns; (2) differentially influences policy on the allocation of privileged economic roles among social groups; and (3) reintegrates cultural beliefs into…

Discusses errors in appraisals of African-Americans' economic progress in recent history, in order to show that African-Americans have made little progress toward achieving economic equality. Considers the changing roles of African-American and European American women in the labor market as vital to interpreting economic status trends. (JS)

The backlash against affirmative action has produced the myth of reverse discrimination in higher education, but every available indicator demonstrates that white males still do dramatically better than any other group. Blacks, Hispanic Americans, and women are still more likely to be off the tenure track. (SLD)

Books in the Opposing Viewpoints Series present debates about current issues that can be used to teach critical reading and thinking skills. The varied opinions in each book examine different aspects of a single issue. The topics covered in this volume explore the racial and ethnic tensions that concern many Americans today. The racial divide…

Occupational stratification based on ethnic group membership is still a part of American society. In the past, ethnic stratification was perceived in conjunction with ethnic succession and it was assumed that no group would be permanently relegated to low occupational status. Today, however, flaws in the system are showing. The idea that at the…

Race is only one of the prisms through which to examine the political and social life of Americans, but it is one in which there has been insufficient determination of contemporary dynamics. For this discussion, the most important issue is the debate within the black community regarding the nature and causes of the crisis facing African Americans…

Determines the impact of affirmative action programs in response to charges that they are policies of reverse discrimination. Reviewing affirmative action programs submitted by Michigan State departments, researchers determined no reverse discrimination was apparent based on low numbers of reverse discrimination complaints filed by whites. (GR)

Author Beverly Daniel Tatum explains that adolescents tend to self-segregate because their racially different friends are not having (or sharing) same experiences. Many white students are oblivious to racism's power and manifestations in society. During lunch or recess, students should be able to relax with friends. However, educators should…

The sociological and political consequences of affirmative action on the white male are significant. Race unconsciousness toward the white male has hampered the development of truly race-conscious programs. The victimization of white males has been largely unacknowledged but is accountable for backlash attitudes among many voters. (SLD)

Social pathologies at the root of many racial disparities in achievement are serious and widespread, but at least frank debate on racial issues is emerging. Contemporary racial issues, including white backlash, are explored; and it is suggested that the eventual emergence of a multiracial consensus for cooperation is possible. (SLD)