Affirmative Action's Second Generation: In the Matter of Vilma Hernandez

Abstract

Abstract This essay recounts the midcareer review of a faculty member originally hired for affirmative action reasons. The data it contains were gathered in the course of that review and are for that reason confidential. Thus biographical facts (including the names of the author and the individual whose work was under review) and certain contextual details have been altered. To preserve a sense of authenticity quotations are drawn directly from the record. The intention is to extract the implications of the case without promoting academic gossip or affecting the reputations of those involved. The story may be appreciated on three levels: as a confrontation of ideological positions, as a complicated set of historical events, and as the basis for posing questions about the working of affirmative action.