Editorial: Three Perspectives of Employment Discrimination 50 Years After the Civil Rights Act—A Promise Fulfilled?

Abstract

Purpose In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this paper reviews contradictory perspectives of the status of employment discrimination. Design/Methodology/Approach Arguments are derived from psychology, management, law, and political science to contrast perspectives that civil rights legislation has (a) done its job, (b) gone too far, and (c) not gone far enough. Findings We determine that disagreement is inevitable and that no unified conclusion can be drawn. Recognition of the viewpoints embedded in opposing perspectives, however, offers direction for the future of organizational science and practice. Implications Consideration of these disparate views of civil rights legislation enables thoughtful reflection on the past, present, and future of civil rights legislation. Originality/Value This paper offers a variety of lenses through which to consider employment discrimination in the organizational sciences and underscores the value of the papers collected in the special issue.

Do black lives really matter in the workplace? Restorative justice as a means to reclaim humanity

“…These organizational concerns may be reasonable as whites appear to fear that their rights will be violated if race-based policies or interventions are enacted. For example, survey study results indicate that white Americans believe that, while prejudice toward black Americans has decreased over the last half century, prejudice toward whites has actually increased (King et al , 2013; Norton and Sommers, 2011). Unfortunately, these beliefs may be facilitating a continuous cycle that denies blacks the ability to fully assert their rights as human beings.…”

How Subtle Bias Infects the Law

“…His remarks reflected a shared belief that equal rights might be achieved under the force of law. And undoubtedly, there has been substantial progress toward equality since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was codified (see King et al 2013). The prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin set a critical standard for equal rights.…”