US Supreme Court declares „Affirmative Action“ unconstitutional
The Supreme Court of the United States has declared the practice of „Affirmative Action“ unconstitutional. The long-standing practice, which aimed to facilitate access to higher education for African Americans, has been criticized by President Biden.
In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court in Washington decided that universities are prohibited from considering the race of applicants in the selection process. The practice, known as „Affirmative Action,“ has been used by universities for decades to ensure better access for minorities, especially African Americans.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the ruling that universities had „long concluded that the scale for a person’s identity was not the challenges they had overcome, the skills they had acquired, or the lessons they had learned, but rather the color of their skin.“ This was deemed incompatible with the Constitution.
The lawsuits were brought against the private elite university Harvard and the state University of North Carolina (UNC) by the student organization Students for Fair Admissions. The plaintiffs argued that Asian applicants were being disadvantaged due to the focus on African Americans in the selection process.
The „Affirmative Action“ measures were introduced in the 1960s as part of the US civil rights movement. The goal was to provide better access to education for African Americans after centuries of oppression, discrimination, and disadvantage.
However, such programs have always been controversial. White applicants have argued in court that they are victims of „reverse discrimination.“ Critics also argue that considering race reinforces the division of people into different groups and further divides society.
In 1978, the Supreme Court ruled that universities cannot use fixed quotas based on race in the selection of applicants. However, race or ethnic background could be one of several criteria used to ensure diversity in the student body. According to Harvard, around 40% of US universities have similar programs.
US President Joe Biden expressed his strong disagreement with the Supreme Court ruling. In a televised address at the White House, he called it a „profound disappointment.“ Biden stated that the conservative-dominated Court had deviated from decades of legal precedent, emphasizing that the decision should not be the „final word.“
President Biden appealed to universities to continue working towards a student body that reflects the diverse origins and experiences of the entire country. He noted that today’s decision does not change the fact that discrimination still exists in America.
Former President Donald Trump, a Republican, welcomed the ruling, stating that it rewards individuals with exceptional abilities. „Everything will be merit-based – as it should be!“ Trump appointed three new justices to the Supreme Court during his presidency, resulting in a shift to the right. Currently, six of the nine justices are considered conservatives, and they voted against „Affirmative Action“ in both cases.
