. Can affirmative action admissions policies in higher education serve to remedy the contemporary effects of past discrimination?

Discrimation and Affirmative Action

These questions are investigated:

1. Can affirmative action admissions policies in higher education serve to remedy the contemporary effects of past discrimination? If so, how exactly? If not, why not?

2. Are members of contemporary society affected by past discrimination? If so, how are they affected and how significant is the present legacy of past discriminatory attitudes, actions and practices? For instance, how, if at all, does past discrimination affect the ability of women and minorities to attain higher education today?