2. • What Does Equality
Mean Today?
• Affirmative Action
• Trying not to be
special : American with
Disabilities
• How Equal Are We
Now?
3. WHAT DOES EQUALITY MEAN TODAY?
Americans are clearly not all the same. There are
differences based on race, ethnicity, social class, gender,
and religion.
• Does equality mean equal opportunity?
History suggests that equal opportunity does not
always guarantee equal outcomes.
• Does equality mean equal results?
Americans are still trying to find the best ways to
ensure equality across society.
4. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Affirmative action is a term for policies and action
that help to reverse the effect of current and past
discrimination.
The goal is to bring all of group to the same levels.
5. ARGUMENTS FOR AGAINST AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION
They argued it because there is still discrimination
against the women minorities, especially in the
workplace.
It is controversial because it puts basic value in the
conflicts.
Opponents (white people) against the affirmative
action because they think that the discrimination is
no longer exists. The white students and workers
deserve to have a chance to be succeed too.
6. Trying not to be
Special :
American with
Disabilities
7. WHAT IS A DISABILITY?
Someone who has “a physical or mental
impairment (problem/weakness) that substantially
limits one or more major life activities.”
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says three
factors determine a “substantial limitation” :
1. The seriousness of the disability
2. How long it will last
3. Its effects
8. “Major life activities” :
Walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning,
standing, or reading. If an injury / illness prevents
people from doing one or more of these things, they
may be considered disabled.
Disabled is one group that has made progress in the
US recently.
It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans
have some form of physical/mental disability.
Over the past 35 years, people with disabilities have
fought for equal protection and treatment.
In 1990, President George H. Bush signed the
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law.
9. “the world’s first comprehensive declaration of the
equality of people with disabilities and evidence of
America’s leadership internationally in the cause of
human rights”
The law has several parts:
1. Employment
2. Government
3. Public Facilites
4. Telecommunications
5. Transportation
10. HOW EQUAL ARE WE NOW?
The government uses statistics to show progress
and to compare population groups in the
country, specifically the white majority; African
Americans; and Latinos.
Statistics from the 2000 census suggest that
African Americans and Latinos have made
progress in some areas.
11. Years Graduated From
High School
Graduated from
College
1980 51 % 8 %
2000 79 % 14 %
Years Graduated From
High School
Graduated from
College
1970 32 % 4,5 %
2000 52 % Less than 11 %
African American Education
Latinos Education
12. • The median income for all minorities has risen in the
last 50 years.
• According to the 2000 census the poverty rates for
minorities is higher than for whites. This is because
the white and the minority population have different
job profiles.
• There have been significant increases in minority
representation in the government.
• African Americans and Latinos are also serving in an
increasing number of important and powerful
appointed position.
Economic and Representation in Government
13. • African Americans and Latinos are also serving in
an increasing number of important and powerful
appointed position.
Dr. Richard Carmona (a Latino)
The Surgeon General of the United States
Condoleezza Rice (an African American)
Secretary of State
