Unpacking Affirmative Action and Colorblindness

Exploring the historical context and rationale behind affirmative action programs post the Civil Rights Act of 1964, highlighting the tension between color blindness as an aspirational goal and the necessity of race-conscious policies to address racial disparities. The chapter delves into the origins of affirmative action, the challenges faced in achieving a colorblind society, and the co-optation of civil rights movement language in opposition to race-conscious initiatives.