The US Supreme Court on Thursday struck down affirmative action in college admissions, declaring that race cannot be a factor for admission as it violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. and forcing institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies.
The court in a 6-3 decision invalidated admissions plans at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, the nation’s oldest private and public colleges, respectively.
The justices decided two separate legal challenges over the admission process of Harvard University – a private institution – and the University of North Carolina – a public one. The cases were brought by students for Fair Admissions, a student activist group.
The case against Harvard alleged that the school’s practices penalized Asian American students, and that they failed to employ race-neutral practices
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion that, “A benefit to a student who overcame racial discrimination, for example, must be tied to that student’s courage and determination.”
“Or a benefit to a student whose heritage or culture motivated him or her to assume a leadership role or attain a particular goal must be tied to that student’s unique ability to contribute to the university. In other words, the student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual—not on the basis of race,” the opinion reads.
“Many universities have for too long done just the opposite. And in doing so, they have concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individual’s identity is not challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned but the color of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice,” the opinion states.
Justice Clarence Thomas, while agreeing with the majority opinion, wrote a separate concurrence with his own thoughts.
The decision, he said, “sees the universities’ admissions policies for what they are: rudderless, race-based preferences designed to ensure a particular racial mix in their entering classes. Those policies fly in the face of our colorblind Constitution and our Nation’s equality ideal. In short, they are plainly—and boldly—unconstitutional.”
“While I am painfully aware of the social and economic ravages which have befallen my race and all who suffer discrimination, I hold out enduring hope that this country will live up to its principles so clearly enunciated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States: that all men are created equal, are equal citizens, and must be treated equally before the law,” Thomas wrote.
Reacting to the ruling, US President Joe Biden said he “strongly, strongly” disagreed with the court’s ruling and urged colleges to seek other routes to diversity rather than let the ruling “be the last word.”
In its reaction, Harvard in a statement said it will “certainly” comply with the decision.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
