Affirmative action refers to the policies and practices that aim to create inclusivity for groups which have been historically underrepresented or discriminated against. Alternative terms are positive action or positive discrimination. The main goals of affirmative action are to promote diversity, fight inequalities in the workplace, increase access to education, and reverse the effects of discrimination.

In the United States, affirmative action refers to the collective effort to increase educational and employment opportunities for people of color and women with governmental or organizational programs and incentives. Affirmative action also aims to ensure that public institutions are inclusive and diverse. Criteria for affirmative action are race, gender, disability, ethnicity, and age. Historically, affirmative action began as a governmental initiative during the civil rights movement in the 1960s to eliminate discrimination and ensure the rights of African Americans.

Affirmative action policies have been constitutionally challenged and brought to court several times as cases of reverse discrimination. Specific states have banned affirmative action. Dyson is an advocate for affirmative action, while he also proposes several other practical steps to fight inequalities.

Black Lives Matter is a social movement that aims to battle racism, inequality, and discrimination against Black people and to promote anti-racism.