The history of the social, legal, and educational aspects of equal opportunity and equal results are outlined, and the rift between the two principles is described. Equal opportunity laws work, especially when enforced expeditiously, and are supported by most Americans. Equal results laws are a failure and counterproductive. (Author/AL)

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…

In a test of affirmative-action policies, a white teacher, Sharon Taxman, filed reverse discrimination charges when her downsizing district terminated her and kept a black teacher of nearly identical qualifications. The case was settled out of court. If the U.S. Supreme Court had heard the case under either the Equal Protection or Title VII…

This document is a transcript of Congressional hearings on equal employment opportunity and affirmative action held in the summer and fall of 1981. Some of those who testified at the hearing included a professor of economics, a representative of the Rockefeller Foundation, directors of women's groups, directors of the National Association for the…