reverse discrimination

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July 13, 2026

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Reverse discrimination refers to discrimination against white people or males, particularly in employment or education. This concept emerged in the mid-1960s.1

The term gained prominence in discussions surrounding affirmative action policies in the United States. Affirmative action, initiated to address historical discrimination against minority groups and women, involves programs that provide limited preferences in areas like hiring and college admissions. However, the use of racial quotas and set-asides within these programs led to legal challenges, with some arguing they constituted reverse discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court has since placed significant restrictions on race-based affirmative action, emphasizing that such policies must serve a compelling governmental interest and cannot operate on racial quotas or stereotypes.2

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affirmative action
…as a form of “reverse discrimination.” The first major challenge was Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (5–4) that quotas may not be used to reserve places for minority applicants if white applicants are denied a chance to compete…
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…as a form of “reverse discrimination.” The first major challenge was Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (5–4) that quotas may not be used to reserve places for minority applicants if white applicants are denied a chance to compete…
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American civil rights movement
From Black power to the assassination of Martin Luther King
…gains had resulted in “reverse discrimination” against whites were effectively used against significant new civil rights initiatives during the 1970s and ’80s.
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…gains had resulted in “reverse discrimination” against whites were effectively used against significant new civil rights initiatives during the 1970s and ’80s.
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ethics
Equality
…of attention soon shifted to reverse discrimination: is it acceptable to favour women and members of racial minority groups for jobs and enrollment in universities and colleges because they have been discriminated against in the past? (See affirmative action.)
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…of attention soon shifted to reverse discrimination: is it acceptable to favour women and members of racial minority groups for jobs and enrollment in universities and colleges because they have been discriminated against in the past? (See affirmative action.)
Read More