Gen X, by contrast, came of age in an integrated society (for legal purposes, at least), and so embraced a more expansive view of what a diverse society should look like. It would be pointless for me to deny that I’m a beneficiary of affirmative action, because I am. The lives and careers of millions of men and women—many of whom, such as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas , have shaped the course of American history—were products of affirmative action. At its core, affirmative action was an effort to promote the authentic diversity that America thrives on. Most Americans—and especially member of Generation X, by my observation—wholeheartedly believe that schools and workplaces should reflect our increasingly heterogeneous society.

Source: New York Times February 29, 2024 14:59 UTC