Radicalism, Racism, and Affirmative Action: In Defense of a Historical Approach

Abstract

The extreme and intractable problem of racism and supremacy requires a radical response. It requires that constitutional analyses purporting to advance themes of equality and justice be conducted contextually with acknowledgement and respect for the particular histories and contemporary realities of black Americans. To engage in counter-hegemonic struggle, a contextualized discussion of oppression is required. Discussions about affirmative action which occur on an abstract plane or that focus primarily on individual instances of past and present discrimination can never truly transform a racist society.

Keywords: Racism, radicalism, affirmative action, race analysis, Plessy v. Ferguson