U.S. Supreme Court Will Look at Affirmative Action The U.S.
Supreme Court began their 1997-98 term today, which will run
from October to June. In January, the Supreme Court will look at
a case where affirmative action was used to increase diversity.
The case concerns Sharon Taxman, a white teacher in New Jersey
who was laid off while an equally qualified black teacher was
kept for racial diversity. The Supreme Court has restricted
governmental affirmative action programs in the past several
years. President Clinton stated that he believes the school
board was wrong in this case, but that programs that increase
diversity should be preserved. During this term, the Court will
also look at whether the federal civil rights law that covers
workplace sexual harassment also applies to same-sex harassment.