In reality there have been many lawsuits that have cost taxpayers billions of dollars and that have resulted in hard fought changes in the law that have helped to contribute to equal opportunity in employment. A more recent case that was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009 addressed reverse discrimination in promotional exams for officer level positions within New Haven Fire Department. In my opinion, this shows how sometimes, in an effort to be fair and compliant with Title VII, the pendulum can swing too far the other way and actually cause unfair discrimination that Title VII was enacted to protect against.
In the text Multi Cultural Law Enforcement Strategies for Peacekeeping in a Diverse Society, fifth edition, it explains how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is used to combat racism in the workplace:.
Institutional or personally mediated racism and discrimination is combated by using federal law. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, it is illegal to discriminate in any aspect of the hiring process in employment. (P. 45).
Research and Facts .
In the text Multicultural Law Enforcement Strategies for Peacekeeping in a Diverse Society, fifth edition, the authors shed some light on the general feeling of public safety personnel and I feel that they relate directly to the New Haven lawsuit. Shusta, Levine, Wong, Olson, Harris (2011): They may resent diversity because of their own prejudices or biases. This resentment is due in part to perceived or actual advantages others receive when competing for law enforcement positions, either entry level or promotional. In addition, because of inept affirmative action hiring in the past some officers perceive that affirmative action means lowering the standards. Indeed where standards have been lowered, everyone suffers, especially the less-qualified employees hired because of affirmative action.
