When Affirmative Action Was White: an untold history of racial inequality in twentieth-century America was written by Ira Katznelson, professor of political science and history at Columbia University. It examines how social welfare programs as far back as FDR's New Deal were implemented in such a way to exclude minorities. Under the influence of Southern Democrats, labor laws excluded farm workers and domestic workers. In the administration of the GI Bill, roadblocks prevented all eligible black veterans from getting the benefits they had earned. Katznelson does a wonderful job of debunking myths surrounding affirmative action, and clarifying just who benefits from the so-called welfare state. (Vairo Library E185.61.K354 2005)
Posted by slw4 at October 3, 2005 10:15 AM