READING 19 STEVEN M. CAHN, “TWO CONCEPTS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION,” ACADEME, VOL. 83 (1997)

In March 1961, less than two months after assuming office, President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925, establishing the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. Its mission was to end discrimination in employment by the government and its contractors. The order required every federal contract to include the pledge that “The contractor will not discriminate against any employe[e] or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, or national origin. The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employe[e]s are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.”