Final answer:
Affirmative action is a policy that aims to address past discrimination by giving special rights to minorities. Critics refer to it as 'reverse discrimination' due to the preferential treatment given to minorities. Proponents argue that affirmative action promotes equal opportunities and diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Affirmative action is the name given to active efforts by government or businesses that give special rights to minorities in hiring and promotion to make up for past discrimination. Affirmative action can be seen as a way to proactively address historic discrimination and promote diversity. Critics of affirmative action often refer to it as 'reverse discrimination' because they believe it provides preferential treatment to minorities over other groups. However, proponents argue that affirmative action helps to level the playing field and create equal opportunities for underrepresented groups.