openentrance – What's Really Going OnWhat's Really Going On

In 1979 U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Weber v. Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation that employers and unions can establish voluntary programs, including the use of quotas, to aid minorities in employment.

It was argued that this agreement violated a clause (Title VII) in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 concerning racial non-discrimination (in this case, a white male). The Court ruled that this agreement did not violate the Act in that it clearly upheld the spirit of the law saying, “Congress’ primary concern in enacting the prohibition against racial discrimination in Title VII was with the plight of the Negro in our economy”.

Also on this date:

1872 Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar born in Dayton, Ohio.

1972 Patricia Roberts Harris, the first African American U.S. Ambassador is named permanent chairman of the Democratic National Convention.