United States Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative Action

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The United States Supreme Court ruling on June 29, 2023, to strike down affirmative action is a disappointing setback for efforts to promote diversity in higher education. Affirmative action has been a crucial tool in addressing historic and systemic disadvantages faced by marginalized communities, and its elimination undermines the progress Community Renewal Society and other organizations, individuals and communities have made towards creating a more diverse, inclusive and equitable society. 

Affirmative action has played a vital role in expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, women and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. By considering factors such as race and gender in college admissions, affirmative action seeks to rectify the effects of discrimination and provide equal access to educational opportunities. 

Affirmative action levels the playing field for those who have historically faced significant barriers. Further, affirmative action recognizes that equal treatment does not always result in equal outcomes, and that extra measures are needed to address the deeply entrenched inequalities that persist in our society. 

The decision to strike down affirmative action jeopardizes our vision of Beloved Community where all God’s children flourish and live in dignity. It is our collective responsibility to strive for a society where everyone, regardless of their background, has a fair chance to succeed. The Supreme Court ruling serves as a reminder that achieving true equality is an ongoing struggle and we must continue to advocate for policies and practices that promote diversity, inclusion and social justice. 

Read statements in response to the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.  

1. MacArthur Foundation Statement in Response to Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action

2. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Condemns SCOTUS Ruling on Affirmative Action 

3. The American Civil Liberties Union Comment on Supreme Court’s Ruling Against Harvard and UNC’s Affirmative Action Policies 

4. Joyce Statement in Response to SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision

5. The Japanese American Citizens League Disappointed by Affirmative Action Decision

6. ‘Egregious’: UCC Officers denounce SCOTUS decision gutting affirmative action policies

7. With End of Affirmative Action, Claudine Gay Faces Unprecedented Challenges to Start Harvard Presidency

Read news articles on the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.  

1. Supreme Court effectively ends affirmative action at colleges in landmark ruling

2. Supreme Court guts affirmative action, effectively ending race-conscious admissions

3. Supreme Court Rules Against Race-Based Affirmative Action

4. The gutting of affirmative action is a ‘clear and present danger’ to equal education, critics say

5. What to know about the Supreme Court ruling on college admissions

6. Supreme Court Strikes Down Race-Based Admissions at Harvard and U.N.C.

7. Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling ‘an attack on people of color,’ Illinois education leaders say

8. Divided Supreme Court outlaws affirmative action in college admissions, says race can’t be used

9. The Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law (LCCRUL), Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF)

10. The LCCRUL, AAAJ, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, and the NAACP LDF

11. The Board’s Role in Adopting and Overseeing an Organization’s Approach to Race-Conscious and Race-Exclusive Activities and How Counsel Can Help

12. Public Equity Group

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Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of the ChatGPT language model developed by OpenAI.