The recent decision to overturn Affirmative Action is a step backward for the United States. Affirmative Action is a policy that increases the representation of marginalized groups in the U.S. Its goal is to achieve equal education access and opportunities for minorities. It is crucial that institutions of higher education consider the disadvantages faced by individuals in the admissions process.
The nonprofit “Students For Fair Admissions”, better known as SFFA, sued Harvard and UNC (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) for a racial-based admissions process which they claimed violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Students against Affirmative Action believe that only the best and most qualified students should be admitted to top universities, and that race should not be a factor in the admissions process. The problem with this argument is that it fails to address the fact racial minorities have been systematically disadvantaged for centuries in the education system.
According to a study conducted by the Stanford University School of Education, many minority students are not given the same opportunities as others who are applying to the top schools, due to the lack of resources and good public schools at their disposal. In addition, Affirmative Action not only benefits minorities but also those who are first-generation college students, ensuring a brighter future for all families.
The University of California system, which believes in Affirmative Action, has strived to curate diverse campuses. Despite Affirmative Action being overturned by the Supreme Court, the UC system and many other colleges will continue the objective of Affirmative Action. Currently, the UC system proportionately represents California’s racial demographics, a change that came about thanks to Affirmative Action. By including an accurate representation of the state of California, students of all backgrounds can be exposed to different cultures, socioeconomic situations, and perspectives.
Former President Barack Obama was a beneficiary of Affirmative Action when he attended Occidental College and later Harvard Law School. Not only has he served our nation as President, Obama also serves as a role model for young African-American kids and an advocate for Affirmative Action around the country.
While there is no perfect solution for creating more equitable education systems and diverse college campuses, Affirmative Action is the closest program we will have to that. By eliminating this, some colleges will be discouraged from implementing a diverse student body, limiting the opportunities of marginalized groups. To advance educational equality, it is imperative for institutions of higher learning to take race into account during the admissions process.
