Affirmative action has been a subject of controversy since its inception during the civil rights struggles of mid-20th century America. Discrimination can no longer be tolerated, and the United States government has an obligation to encourage equality at all levels of the social infrastructure. The main type of discrimination targeted by affirmative action programs was racial discrimination. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines racism as: “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and abilities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” » The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited all forms of discrimination, laid the groundwork for the introduction of affirmative action programs. In 1965, Lyndon Johnson signed an executive order requiring government contractors to diversify their workforces by hiring more minorities. President Nixon established a system in which the government could monitor companies' progress in hiring minorities. Ultimately, top educational institutions would also see the need for affirmative action and the benefits of a diverse student body. Affirmative action was designed to overcome the problem of discrimination in education and the workplace by giving less fortunate members of the minority the opportunity to level the playing field and achieve similar success to that of their majority counterparts. Affirmative action programs, which encourage the inclusion of minorities in education and at all levels of the workplace, are essential in efforts to eradicate discrimination and ensure equal opportunity. The need for affirmative action is based on very clear statistics that indicate a racial imbalance in ...... middle of document ......ase Against Affirmative Action." One Minute Cases. Web. February 24, 2011.3. JUSTIFICATIONS FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.” Welcome to the White House. Internet. February 23, 2011. .4. Drink, Theodore. “The need for positive action – stronger than ever!” » Automatic redirection to the main site. Internet. February 23, 2011. .5. “Ten Myths About Affirmative Action.” UnderstandingPrejudice.org. Internet. February 23, 2011. .6. Kelley, Raina. "Why we still need positive action - Newsweek." Newsweek - National news, world news, business, health, technology, entertainment and more - Newsweek. Internet. February 23. 2011. .