Ending TheAffirmative Action May Be Just  Beginning



On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that race cannot be a factor in college admissions. The decision, which was 6-3 along ideological lines, was a major victory for opponents of affirmative action, who argued that it was a form of reverse discrimination.

Supreme Court Rejects Affirmative Action


The case, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, was brought by a group of Asian-American students who argued that Harvard's admissions process discriminated against them on the basis of their race. The students alleged that Harvard gave preferential treatment to white and black applicants, and that this had resulted in a lower acceptance rate for Asian-American applicants.

The Supreme Court's decision was based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Court ruled that race cannot be a factor in college admissions unless it is narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest. The Court found that Harvard's admissions process did not meet this standard, and that it was therefore unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court's decision is a major setback for affirmative action, which has been used by colleges and universities for decades to increase diversity in their student bodies. The decision is likely to have a significant impact on college admissions, and it is unclear what the future of affirmative action will be.

Ending Affirmative Action May Be Just the Beginning

The Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard is a major victory for opponents of affirmative action, but it may not be the end of the story. The decision could lead to further challenges to affirmative action programs in other areas, such as employment and housing.

Opponents of affirmative action argue that it is a form of reverse discrimination, and that it violates the principle of equal protection under the law. They also argue that affirmative action programs are not necessary to achieve diversity, and that there are other, more effective ways to promote diversity.

Ending the Use of Race as a Factor in College Admissions


Supporters of affirmative action argue that it is a necessary tool to address the effects of past discrimination. They also argue that affirmative action programs help to create a more diverse and inclusive society, which benefits everyone.

The Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard is likely to reignite the debate over affirmative action. It remains to be seen whether the decision will lead to the end of affirmative action, or whether it will simply force affirmative action programs to evolve.

What Students Can Expect After Supreme Court's Ruling

on Affirmative Action

The Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action has the potential to have a significant impact on college admissions. Here are some of the things that students can expect in the wake of the ruling:

Supreme Court Rejects Affirmative Action, Ending the Use of Race as a Factor in College Admissions


  • A more competitive admissions process: With the end of affirmative action, colleges and universities will likely become more competitive. This means that students will need to have stronger academic records and extracurricular activities in order to be admitted.
  • A greater focus on merit: Colleges and universities may place a greater emphasis on merit in the admissions process. This means that students who have strong academic records and extracurricular activities will be more likely to be admitted.
  • A renewed focus on diversity: Even without affirmative action, colleges and universities will still want to have a diverse student body. This means that they may look for other ways to achieve diversity, such as considering factors such as socioeconomic status and geographic location.
  • More lawsuits: The Supreme Court's ruling is likely to lead to more lawsuits challenging affirmative action programs. This could further complicate the issue of affirmative action and make it more difficult for colleges and universities to achieve diversity in their student bodies.

The Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action is a major development, and it is unclear what the long-term impact of the ruling will be. However, it is clear that the ruling will have a significant impact on college admissions, and it is something that students should be aware of as they apply to college.


The Impact of the Ruling on underrepresented groups :

The Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action is likely to have a significant impact on underrepresented groups, such as African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. These groups have historically been underrepresented in higher education, and affirmative action has been a key tool in increasing their representation.

Without affirmative action, it is likely that these groups will become even more underrepresented in higher education. This could have a number of negative consequences, including:

  • Reduced access to educational opportunities: Without affirmative action, underrepresented groups will have less access to educational opportunities. This could lead to lower levels of educational attainment, which could have a negative impact on their economic opportunities.
  • Less diversity in the workforce: Without affirmative action, there will be less diversity in the workforce. This could lead to a less innovative and productive workforce.
  • Greater social inequality: Without affirmative action, there is a risk that social inequality will increase. This is because underrepresented groups are more likely to be poor and to live in disadvantaged communities.

The Future of Affirmative Action

The Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action is a major setback for the policy, but it is not the end of the story. There are still a number of ways that affirmative action can be implemented in a legal way.

One possibility is for colleges and universities to use race as a factor in a holistic admissions process. This means that race would be one of many factors that are considered, along with academic record, extracurricular activities, and other factors.

Another possibility is for colleges and universities to use race-neutral factors to achieve diversity. For example, they could consider factors such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and first-generation college status.

The future of affirmative action is uncertain, but it is clear that the Supreme Court's ruling has made it more difficult to implement the policy. However, there are still a number of ways that affirmative action can be implemented in a legal way.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action is a major development, and it is unclear what the long-term impact of the ruling will be. However, it is clear that the ruling will have a significant impact on college admissions, and it is something that students should be aware of as they apply to college.

The ruling is also likely to have a significant impact on underrepresented groups, and it is important to consider the potential consequences of the ruling for these groups. The future of affirmative action is uncertain, but it is clear that the Supreme Court's ruling has made it more difficult to implement the policy. However, there are still a number of ways that affirmative action can be implemented in a legal way.