When you apply for a job, you want to be given a fair chance. To make up for times when African Americans, women and other minorities were not always given a fair chance at jobs, the government decided in 1972 that laws were needed to protect the right of these groups. These laws are called "affirmative action." Many colleges and universities also used affirmative action to have a student body with more African Americans and other minorities. Private companies did the same. Soon, there were many more African Americans in all types of jobs and universities. Today, though, many people believe that affirmative action is no longer necessary. They believe that all Americans have a fair chance for a job and an education.