reverse discrimination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reverse discrimination" is correct and usable in written English.
You may use it when referring to discrimination against members of a majority or privileged group, typically to redress prior discrimination. For example: "The university implemented a policy to ensure that no students would experience reverse discrimination based on their race or ethnicity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sixty-three per cent thought that racial minorities enjoyed at least a little bit of "unfair" reverse discrimination.

The New Yorker

Mr. Coffin said the decision was "consistent with the trend of the Rehnquist court seeing discrimination and reverse discrimination as the same thing".

The New York Times

Then, you get phrases like "reverse discrimination" being used, but how can reverse discrimination occur if there was no discrimination to contend with in the first place?

Science Magazine

"It's weird, because I get reverse discrimination.

Huffington Post

"Reverse discrimination fallacy" is a real thing.

Huffington Post

They complain that promotions are subjective and amount to reverse discrimination.

Los Angeles Times

If we look at it the other way round, there are some men claiming that they face reverse discrimination.

Huffington Post

Read more about Affirmative Action Under Fire: When is it Reverse Discrimination?

University of California, Berkeley

55 min. Affirmative Action Under Fire: When is it Reverse Discrimination?

University of California, Berkeley

It's reverse discrimination.

Independent

"It's reverse discrimination," she acknowledged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reverse discrimination", ensure you provide specific context. Clearly articulate which group is experiencing the alleged discrimination and the specific policies or practices that are perceived as discriminatory.

Common error

Avoid automatically labeling affirmative action policies as "reverse discrimination". Affirmative action aims to address historical disadvantages, while "reverse discrimination" implies an unfair bias against a previously advantaged group. It's important to analyze the specific impact and intent of each policy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reverse discrimination" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe situations where members of a dominant or majority group are perceived to be discriminated against in favor of historically disadvantaged groups. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reverse discrimination" describes the concept of discrimination against members of a dominant or majority group, often in the context of affirmative action or diversity initiatives. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, though its validity and application are subjects of ongoing debate. It's most frequently found in News & Media, followed by Academia and Science sources. When using the phrase, provide clear context and avoid equating all affirmative action policies with "reverse discrimination". Consider alternative phrases like "preferential treatment backlash" or "discrimination against the majority" to nuance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discrimination in reverse

Uses the expression of reverse applied to the term discrimination.

reverse bias

Uses a shorter, more concise term to describe bias in the opposite direction.

discrimination against the majority

Emphasizes that the discrimination is directed at the dominant group.

preferential treatment backlash

Focuses on the negative reaction to policies intended to provide advantages to specific groups.

affirmative action backlash

Highlights negative consequences resulting from affirmative action implementation.

backlash against diversity initiatives

Highlights the negative consequences on the initiatives that aim to promote diversity.

disadvantage to dominant groups

Points out that a specific action or policy creates an unfavourable situation for those previously privileged.

inequity towards privileged groups

Highlights that a specific action or policy creates an unfavourable situation for those previously privileged.

privilege penalty

Focuses on how existing privileges can become a source of disadvantage in certain situations.

unintended consequences of equity policies

Highlights that equity policies may have consequences that are not in line with their aims.

FAQs

How can I use "reverse discrimination" in a sentence?

You can use "reverse discrimination" to describe situations where policies intended to benefit historically disadvantaged groups are perceived to unfairly disadvantage members of a majority group. For example: "Some argue that affirmative action policies can lead to "reverse discrimination" against qualified candidates from majority groups".

What's the difference between "reverse discrimination" and discrimination?

"Reverse discrimination" specifically refers to discrimination against members of a dominant or majority group, often in the context of attempts to rectify past discrimination. Discrimination, in general, refers to prejudice or bias against any group, regardless of their social standing.

Is "reverse discrimination" a valid concept?

Whether "reverse discrimination" is a valid concept is debated. Some argue that any policy that disadvantages a group based on factors like race or gender constitutes discrimination, while others believe that measures to address historical inequalities do not qualify as "reverse discrimination" if their intent is to create a more equitable society.

What are some examples of situations that might be considered "reverse discrimination"?

Examples include a situation where a less qualified minority candidate is hired over a more qualified majority candidate due to affirmative action policies, or when scholarships are exclusively offered to minority students, potentially disadvantaging non-minority students.