reverse discrimination
Anti-dominant group prejudice
Reverse discrimination is the claim that policies meant to help historically disadvantaged groups—such as affirmative action—unfairly harm members of majority groups.
The term implies discrimination has been inverted: He argued that the hiring quota amounted to reverse discrimination against white applicants.
Critics of the phrase note it frames equality measures as inherently discriminatory.
Programs boosting marginalized representation
- quotasMandated numerical limits
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
- set-asidesAmounts reserved beforehand
- preferential hiringEmployment bias toward groups
admissions · hiring practices · diversity mandates · inclusion policies · protected classes · compliance · remedial measures · corrective action
Unjust or biased treatment
- overcorrectionExcessive corrective action
- meritocracyAdvancement through demonstrated ability
- colorblindnessImpaired hue discrimination
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
double standard · unqualified · special treatment · resentment · grievance · undeserving · two wrongs · level playing field
Exclusive right or benefit
- disadvantageUnfavorable circumstance or condition
- majoritiesGreater parts of totals
- minoritiesSmaller portions of populations
- underrepresentationInsufficient proportional presence
overrepresentation · tokenism · stigma · stereotyping · group identity · demographics · in-group · out-group
Persistent bitter displeasure
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- outcryLoud public protest
discontent · antagonism · anger · bitterness · culture war · polarization · pushback · countermovement
Legal proceedings seeking remedy
- litigationLegal dispute process
- Supreme CourtNation's top tribunal
- judicial reviewCourts invalidating unconstitutional acts
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
complaints · rulings · equal protection · Fourteenth Amendment · class action · settlements · burden of proof · standing
affirmative action
Programs boosting marginalized representation
- quotasMandated numerical limits
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
- set-asidesAmounts reserved beforehand
preferential hiring · admissions · hiring practices · diversity mandates · inclusion policies · protected classes · compliance · remedial measures · corrective action · outreach programs
unfairness
Unjust or biased treatment
- overcorrectionExcessive corrective action
- meritocracyAdvancement through demonstrated ability
- colorblindnessImpaired hue discrimination
bias · double standard · unqualified · special treatment · resentment · grievance · undeserving · two wrongs · level playing field · qualifications
privilege
Exclusive right or benefit
- disadvantageUnfavorable circumstance or condition
- majoritiesGreater parts of totals
- minoritiesSmaller portions of populations
underrepresentation · overrepresentation · tokenism · stigma · stereotyping · group identity · demographics · in-group · out-group · social mobility
resentment
Persistent bitter displeasure
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
outcry · discontent · antagonism · anger · bitterness · culture war · polarization · pushback · countermovement · victim mentality
lawsuits
Legal proceedings seeking remedy
- litigationLegal dispute process
- Supreme CourtNation's top tribunal
- judicial reviewCourts invalidating unconstitutional acts
civil rights · complaints · rulings · equal protection · Fourteenth Amendment · class action · settlements · burden of proof · standing · EEOC
- workplace equityequal opportunity, pay equity, fair employment, fair hiring, fair treatment
- workplace inclusiondiversity officers, workplace diversity, inclusion policies, workplace inclusion, affirmative action
- discriminationracism, Jim Crow laws, sexism, racial harassment, prejudice
- Education Equityeducation equity, desegregation, school integration, affirmative action, educational segregation
reverse discriminationsystemic racism
Discrimination embedded in institutions
institutional racism · Jim Crow · apartheid · white privilege · male privilege
reverse discriminationaffirmative action
Programs boosting marginalized representation
positive discrimination · corrective action · remedial measures · diversity initiatives
reverse discriminationcolorblindness
Impaired hue discrimination
meritocracy · equal treatment · equal opportunity · level playing field · nondiscrimination
reverse, reversed, reversal, reversing, reversible, irreversible, reversion, discriminate, discrimination