The assault on foundations for enhancing the struggle for equality has been fierce. There have been several Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action. The concept itself has been undermined but not eliminated. At the same time, the great body of affirmative action law established by Congressional legislation and executive order remains in place. However, it is not enforced.
Voting rights are also under sharp attack.
In its most recent decision the Court declared the 11th Congressional district in Georgia unconstitutional. This jeopardizes several districts created under the 1991 Civil Rights and Women Equity Act. Given the composition of the Court more emphasis has to be placed on defeating the right in Congress. At the same time what is new is that in several areas of the country the drive against affirmative action is beginning to lose steam and slow down. Most importantly in California the anti-civil rights initiative is having trouble getting off the ground.