Affirmative Action on Trial

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File on 4: Affirmative Action on Trial

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16/05/2023

BBC Radio 4 - File on 4, Affirmative Action on Trial

US affirmative action policies are under scrutiny once again. Are they a helping hand or an unfair handout?

For 40 years, affirmative action policies were created in the United States to address a lack of women and people of colour in the workplace and at university. They have been questioned before, and are now under scrutiny once again in the Supreme Court.

Two cases are being brought by a group called Students for Fair Admissions challenging the way race is considered in the admissions process at Harvard and North Carolina Universities.

The case against Harvard specifically alleges discrimination against Asian Americans, which the prestigious college denies. But affirmative action is divisive and means different things to Americans.

Nomia Iqbal speaks to Edward Blum, the man bringing the case to court, and to students on either side of the debate.

Is the policy a helping hand, or an unfair handout?

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