What is "affirmative action"?

Affirmative action refers to policies aimed at addressing historical inequalities by promoting opportunities for individuals from groups that have been historically marginalized or disadvantaged. This typically includes initiatives in areas such as education and employment, where such groups might face barriers to entry or advancement due to systemic discrimination or bias.

The focus on integrating opportunities for historically marginalized groups is central to the concept of affirmative action. It encompasses a range of programs and strategies, such as targeted recruitment, outreach efforts, and consideration of race or ethnicity in admissions or hiring processes, with the goal of fostering a more equitable society.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of what affirmative action entails. For instance, policies that focus solely on race would not reflect the broader scope of affirmative action, which includes socioeconomic status and other factors. The options discussing crime reduction or military recruitment pertain to entirely different social issues and do not align with the aims of affirmative action, which is fundamentally about enhancing equal access and opportunities for all individuals, particularly those from disenfranchised backgrounds.