Description
Book SynopsisAn essential handbook on the complex network of conservative foundations, think tanks, legal advocacy groups, and coordinating structures working to undermine the historic gains of the civil rights movement.
Trade ReviewThe right-wing research centers and law firms' well-coordinated efforts are meticulously documented in Lee Cokorinos's The Assault on Diversity. . . . The Assault on Diversity situates all the present-day right-wing power centers in a diagram that in its intricacy looks like the plans for a complex engeneering project. * The Nation *
Mr. Cokorinos characterizes the various challenges to colleges' affirmative action programs as 'a project of the major foundations of the political right' carried out by a well-funded nationally based network. * The Chronicle of Higher Education *
The Assault on Diversity documents in exceptional detail this nationwide effort to roll back a proud half-century of progresss toward social justice and a more inclusive society. * The New York Times *
The Assault on Diversity reinforces with critical data the challenges we confront as our hard-fought civil rights victories come under attack in our nation's courtrooms, legislatures, state houses, and universities. This book puts on notice all of us who are committed to social justice in America. Unless we as a nation respond firmly to this challenge, we will witness the foreclosure of justice and equality for millions of Americans. -- Barbara R. Arnwine, executive director, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
An invaluable resource for uncovering the institutions, people and money behind the attack on affirmative action. * Socialist Worker *
This book makes clear that the opposition to affirmative action has not been a spontaneous, rational response to America's most serious domestic problem, but rather a well-orchestrated, abundantly funded ideological campaign. The Assault on Diversity is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of civil rights in America, and indeed the very nature of American democracy itself. -- Jack Greenberg, former director-counsel, NAACP; founding member MALDEF; argued
Brown v. Board of Education
Lee Cokorinos of the Institute for Democracy Studies has done an extremely thorough job of documenting the 'organized challenge to racial and gender justice.' * Diverse: Issues In Higher Education *
Contains detailed profiles of the network of conservative foundations, think tanks, legal advocacy groups, and coordinating structures, which the author believes are currently working together to undermine the historic gains of the civil rights movement. * Hispanic Outlook *
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Foreword Chapter 3 The New Threat to Diversity Chapter 4 The Historical Background of the Battle Against Affirmative Action Chapter 5 The Political Battle: Ballot Initiatives, Media Outreach, and Legislative Action Chapter 6 The Legal Battle: Strategic Litigation and Networking Chapter 7 The Assault on Diversity and the Coming to Power of the George W. Bush Administration
