Isn Affirmative Action reverse discrimination against white males?
No. Historically and currently, the majority of award decisions are made by white males. The purpose of affirmative action is to counteract the effects of past and present discrimination and/or preferential treatment, practices that have effectively excluded firms owned and controlled by persons who are not white and male. Further, it is incorrect to presume that white males are excluded by the operation of the state’s M/WBE program. White males can own up to 49 percent of an M/WBE and, in fact, approximately 12 percent of certified M/WBE firms have at least one white male owner. Additionally, over 24 percent of certified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBE) have community property ownership, meaning the businesses are owned by women whose spouses are white and male.
