Reverse Discrimination

In todays society, some Americans believe that reverse discrimination is a direct result of the affirmative action programs put in place during the time of civil rights. During the late 1960s it was a decent thought process but, as time proceeded we, as Americans, believe that society is equal enough now that race should not be considered for a college admittance or a job opportunity. A color blind society is the ultimate goal of the United States. In the court case University of California Regents v. Bakke, a claim was made in which special programs set aside a certain number of seats for minority students who were admitted by standards lower than the normal admittance. The decision was protested by many minorities and advocates of affirmative
The University of California at Davis arranged a dual admissions program, one for regular admission students, and one for special students, those of a minority race. With the regular admission, a student must have above a 2.5 GPA and complete an interview. From there, the students would be given a rating concerning the qualifications stated above, and the students’ score on the Medical College Admissions Test. There were 100 spots available in the school and 16 spots were set aside for the consideration of the special students. The qualifications to be accepted into the school were significantly lower for the minorities. No disadvantaged white candidates received admission through the special program. Allan Bakke, a caucasian male, applied twice to the University of California at Davis Medical School and was rejected both times. During this time, many minorities were accepted with lower MCAT scores and GPAs. Bakke filed a law suit for the
To this court, he claimed that his case violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because it excluded him on the basis of race. Under that act, no person is discriminated in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. All programs in public colleges receive money from the federal government. Bakke made the claim that he was being discriminated against because he was rejected twice from the school. Even though affirmative action is used to assist citizens of lower income, discrimination of any kind is still discrimination. At the end of the case, the decision was ruled as a 5-4 decision saying that a state may constitutionally consider race a factor in its university admissions but only if it is considered amongst other requirements. The Court also ruled that the special-admissions program displayed reverse discrimination and was illegal. The Court held that the University discriminated against whites because it excluded them from 16 out of 100 spots solely by their race. The fact that african americans have been historically discriminated against more than white citizens was not relevant to this case, because of the racial quota system whether it applied against whites or