Book excerpt: Affirmative action is a set of laws or policies that favors disenfranchised groups in efforts to compensate for the discriminatory practices of the past. The term first appeared in U.S. legislature in the 1930s, and has taken many forms. It has championed for those who have been discriminated against for their age, class, gender, race, or physical ability. Affirmative action has addressed discrimination in housing rights, employment, pay equality, civil rights, and academic admissions. These New York Times stories chronicle some of our government's greatest applications of affirmative action, when it has failed, how the perception of it has evolved, and where it will take equality in the future. Media literacy questions and terms are included to further engage readers with the collection.