The vision of remediation plus inclusion goes somewhat further than opportunity/anti-discrimination by saying that race-conscious decision-making not only should remedy past discrimination but it should boost diversity and inclusion in institutions where racial exclusion may not have resulted from past discrimination. Edley cites President Clinton's 1992 pledge to make his Cabinet "look like America" as an example of the remediation plus inclusion vision.
According to Edley, inclusion is thus viewed as a means to improve the performance of an organization, government agency or business. Inclusion or diversity means an urban police force would hire minority officers to become more representative of the community it serves, and thus more effective. It also means that an institution brings in minorities or women to benefit from their input and diverse perspectives.
Overall, Edley has written a useful book in helping us to understand why the affirmative action debate is a critical and highly complex one. Readers will find Not All Black and White particularly valuable because it provides an informed view of the struggle over affirmative action, and how it relates to the gap between the races in America.
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