<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
Define affirmative action.
<|assistant|>
Affirmative action is a policy that aims to overcome historical disadvantages associated with a particular group of people by giving preferences to them in areas such as hiring, education, and government contracting. The purpose of affirmative action is to increase opportunities for certain classes of individuals who may otherwise have been excluded due to systemic or historic discrimination. In the U.S., this typically includes people of color, women, and members of other historically marginalized groups. Affirmative action policies provide preferential treatment wherein qualified candidates from these backgrounds have the chance to compete for jobs or places in educational programs without facing discrimination.