Question

Is there such a thing as "reverse discrimination? Provide examples to support your response.

Answer 1

• The term "reverse discrimination" sometimes is used to describe a type of discrimination wherein members of a majority or historically advantaged group (such as Caucasians or males) are discriminated against based on their race, gender, age, or other protected characteristic. These types of claims typically arise in the areas of employment or education.
• Occasionally, the term also is used to negatively describe programs meant to advance or promote minorities and address inequality, such as affirmative action.
• While the term "reverse discrimination" is not expressly included in federal civil rights laws, these types of lawsuits are generally brought as discrimination cases under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other statutes.
• While "reverse discrimination" is not specifically addressed under federal law, the term typically refers to situations where a member or members of a majority are discriminated against on the basis of a protected factor, such as race or gender.
• Common examples would include a Caucasian individual who is discriminated against in favor of a racial minority, or perhaps a man suing an employer because a woman was given favorable treatment at work on account of her gender.
• Diversity initiative programs (such as affirmative action) are generally designed to "level the playing field" in the workplace or educational settings, they also may run the risk of breaking discrimination laws despite their historical justifications.
• Examples of "reverse discrimination" may include:
• Making hiring or promoting decisions in favor of minority groups, despite the experience or seniority of Caucasian, male, or other majority applicants.
• Hiring or promoting women solely on the basis of their gender over equally or more qualified males.
• Refusing to hire or firing of persons under 40 years of age in favor of the hiring of persons over 40 years of age.
• Rejecting an applicant for school while admitting a minority applicant solely on the basis of race.
• Example of Reverse Discrimination in Employment-
• ABC Company requires their employees to take an aptitude test as part of the process of promoting them. Both John and Marsha take the test, John scoring just two points higher than Marsha.
• John is surprised when Marsha is offered the promotion, and learns that management had decided they needed to hire and promote more women and other minorities in order to be seen as an “equal opportunity employer.”
• In this example of reverse discrimination, John, who is in a majority group of white males, was passed over simply because he is a man.