The article talks about racism but does not define it. How would we give a general definition of racism that would exclude affirmative action?

I don't doubt the good will of most people who favor affirmative action, I just don't see how it is not racism.

<link> rac·ism

1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination

prej·u·dice

1 : injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights; especially : detriment to one's legal rights or claims
2 a (1) : preconceived judgment or opinion (2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b : an instance of such judgment or opinion c : an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

dis·crim·i·na·tion

1 a : the act of discriminating b : the process by which two stimuli differing in some aspect are responded to differently
2 : the quality or power of finely distinguishing
3 a : the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually b : prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment <racial discrimination>

affirmative action an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women; also : a similar effort to promote the rights or progress of other disadvantaged persons _______________________ As is clearly shown by the definition of the words (and we can have a longer discussion about the practice of these terms if you'd like) affirmative action is not racism. Affirmative Action in no way promotes the idea that race is the "primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race" Affirmative Action as the definition above makes clear, is simply an affirmative or positve action to improve opportunities for women and minorities. There is a historical basis for such policies in that women and minorities were for the better part of the history of this country LEGALLY barred from employment and educational opportunities.
Affirmative Action is not based on the hatred of any race nor is it based on the idea that any race is superior to any other race.

That definition of Affirmative Action is not complete. It does not explain why women, a majority of the population, would be given favored status. Nor does it explain why some minorities are given favored status, such as blacks and latinos, but not other minorities, such as jews or red heads.

Tubbs,

Affirmative action is the governments affirmation of the superiority of the majority. Otherwise it would not exist. It's express purpose is to overcome the perceived advantage (superiority) of the majority. You can sugar coat and avoid that uncomfortable fact all you want, but it doesn't change reality.