That was the past this is now. Affirmative action provides for reverse discrimination. Affirmative action is essentially institutionalized discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, under title VII states that, it is unlawful for any employer to fail to refuse or hire or discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, or privileges of employment because of such individuals race, color religion, sex or national origin. In fact, when the Civil Rights Act refers to, in this instance, him, it really means woman or minority.
Equality also means equal treatment.
If women and minority groups wish to be treated the same, affirmative action is another barrier in their way. Affirmative action takes history into law, it does not allow for women or minorities to get a chance on their own, and does not give white males a chance to make up for their past.