Part is social, like trying to bring more women and minorities into science careers, and onto the museum's professional staff.

But there are efforts to bring minorities into high-profile positions, which has its own value because then they begin to serve as role models.

I believe that I've done such a good job in bringing minorities into the Police Department.

"I think they bring minorities in the door to maintain appearances, and so they can say they are diverse," he said of the agency.

Another white male on the Court increases Mr. Clinton's obligation to bring more women and racial minorities into the selection process in the future.

"It's the last big city in America to bring minorities and women into power and it did it more clumsily than any other city."

"Legislation of this kind is necessary to bring women and minorities to an equal, level playing field," he said.

Only two years ago, fire officials hailed the program for bringing more women and minorities into the department as it struggled to diversify its ranks.

Sabeg warned that France risked becoming an apartheid state unless it brings minorities into the mainstream.

Supporters of the districts say that, rather than fostering separatism, they play a critical role in bringing minorities into the political process as equals.