[andyfox]

There's another way to look at it. Proponents of affirmative action would argue that if there is a situation where blacks are underrepresented in a certain population---say, admissions to a university--then discrimination must be at work to some degree. By allowing the use of race as one factor in determinating admission, use of that factor in actuality reduces discrimination. Levels the playing field, so to speak. I believe Lyndon Johnson may well have used that metaphor in his landmark speech on the matter.