For most of our history laws favored whites. so we passed laws, executive orders were issued, and the Sup. Ct. rendered decisions to change that, i.e., we took steps to end de jure or legal segregation and other forms of discrimination. But because the harm was so great for so long, we took steps to remedy past wrongs the effects of which are still felt today. For example, when you deny blacks education, access to the best jobs, etc., that's a disadvantage that is passed on to the next generations, just as advantage is. So, let's take affirmative action ... it was a response to institutional racism and it required employers to take extra steps to make sure they got a good pool of minority and female applicants ... in the end, the best candidates got the position. As far as voting was concerned, the feds took steps (remember, this was renewed several times, the last time in 2006 - bipartisan support) to ensure that certain states were not doing anything to prevent blacks from voting. There was evidence that some were, which is why certain areas were targeted ... in fact, more recently, Texas tried to pass a law that would have a disparate impact on Latinos in the state (it would prevent 10% of Latinos from voting and only 4% of whites from voting) and the feds stopped them ... but now they can go ahead with it ... Does this help? It was a little rushed, but I hope it does ...