In fact, the experience with reverse discrimination is far richer than that. The most thorough investigation of these has been performed by the well-known researcher at the Hoover Institute at Stanford, Thomas Sowell, who happens to be black. It does not narrow social gaps. It often harms the very groups it is attempting to benefit. Talented women and minorities are presumed to be mediocre and to be in their positions because of quotas and promotion of the under-qualified.
Affirmative action increases bigotry, resentment, racism and sexism.
It does so by reinforcing stereotypes of inferiority. In America all whites are penalized and all blacks receive special favors, including those who never personally faced any discrimination, because of the actions in the past perpetrated by some dead whites against dead blacks. Affirmative action produces ludicrous injustices. There are endless examples of incompetent people being promoted and hired under affirmative action. If a woman happens to be the most qualified person for a position, then she will be automatically hired by anyone whose self-interest dictates that the most qualified serve in this position.