Affirmative Action

The cornerstone of a free society is equality of opportunity, not a government-mandated “equality” of result. All Americans, being equal citizens with equal rights under the law, have the right to be judged on their individual talents, skills, and achievements.

Affirmative action, goals, timetables, and set asides are often merely euphemisms for quotas. These devices violate the equal protection provisions of the 14th Amendment when implemented by state governments. When used by the federal government, private employers, colleges, and other entities, they violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Such quotas divide society, pitting group against group and race against race in an illegal search for proportional representation.

Historically, American Jews have been the targets of quotas, which were used to exclude Jews and limit their number in medical schools, graduate schools, and jobs. These policies have similarly detrimental effects on the Jewish community today.

Furthermore, the claim that affirmative action is necessary to help African Americans whose forbearers suffered from discrimination implies that people are being punished today for the crimes of their ancestors--an attack on republican principles.

The RJC categorically condemns racism and discrimination. It supports the full enforcement of all state and federal laws against discrimination. In keeping with the principle of equality under the law, the RJC opposes the use of quotas, goals, set-asides and other programs which give preferences to specific racial or ethnic groups, whether in regard to educational opportunities, business contracts, grants or loans, employment or other opportunities. They are ineffective, and ultimately harmful, policy tools.

On the other hand, the RJC does support outreach programs which seek to expand an applicant pool, as good policy and as good business, because expanding an applicant pool increases the range of applicants, thereby leading to better selections based on merit.