Affirmative Action Under Fire

The controversy over affirmative action has grown to such a point in recent years that many observers have questioned whether the policy can long endure. Legislation aimed at prohibiting the use of affirmative action has been introduced m numerous states. Gubernatorial orders or citizen initiatives to overturn affirmative action also have occurred. This article examines the rise of recent anti-affirmative action policy proposals. A modest positive relationship is found between the size of a state's minority population and the expression of anti-affirmative action sentiment Given the direction of current trends, affirmative action in the future is likely to be limited to programs typical of those m the early 1960s based on minority outreach and recruitment rather than the granting of preferences