The Supreme Court has been on a roll recently, striking down many of the rulings that have been held in place for decades. This is a major setback for many people, but especially for people of color. In its latest ruling, the Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions. This means that colleges and universities can no longer consider race as a factor in admissions decisions. This is a major blow to diversity efforts on college campuses, and it will undoubtedly make it harder for people of color to get into college.
Affirmative Action is a complex issue where there can be arguments made for and against the ruling, but studies have shown without a doubt that it has positively impacted people of color. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that affirmative action in college admissions increased the number of black students attending selective colleges by 13%. This in turn led to increased earnings and employment opportunities for black graduates.
Another study, by the University of California, Los Angeles, found that affirmative action in employment increased the number of black and Hispanic managers by 15%. This led to increased earnings and job satisfaction for these workers. While 13% and 15% may not sound like astronomical numbers, just think about 13% or 15% of people in a city. That may bring some perspective to how many people affirmative action is helping.
With affirmative action now being stuck down, these are 5 ways it can impact people of color and what you can do about it:
- Reduced access to higher learning institutions: Affirmative Action was helpful in reducing discrimination that kept people of color out of higher learning institutions. In many cases, the people of color were more qualified than their white counterparts who were being accepted into these same schools. The removal of these policies will undoubtedly create more barriers for already underrepresented people of color to attend higher learning institutions.
- Lack of diversity on campuses: For those who are accepted to higher learning institutions, they may face the challenge of finding diverse and inclusive environments on campus. They may also face discrimination on campus, affecting their learning environment. Being able to enjoy a diverse and inclusive learning environment helps students become more engaged and motivated, leading to better academic outcomes and a well-rounded learning environment.
- Reinforcing Existing Systemic Inequalities: Historically, people of color have been a marginalized group and have faced systemic disadvantages and inequality. This ruling further cements the fundamental belief that people of color are not given the same opportunities as their white counterparts. This ruling makes it harder for those from underrepresented backgrounds to gain access to academic success.
- Standardized Scores: Affirmative Action recognized that diverse students were more than a simple score from a standardized test. It allowed the higher learning institutions to look at the student in a holistic view, as opposed to numbers on a scoreboard. This allowed many students who would have otherwise been denied to show the valuable contributions they bring to higher learning institutions.
- Lack of Diversity Among Professors: Simply put, if fewer people of color are able to access higher learning institutions, then fewer people of color will be able to teach at higher learning institutions. Being able to have a diverse teaching staff is important for both white students and students of color. It encourages diversity between students and staff and creates representation among students of color. With a lack of diversity, teaching and mentorship relationships will be affected, thus affecting the academic and professional environment.
Here’s what you can do about it:
- Donate: Find scholarship funds or organizations directly supporting students of color and donate your time or money to them.
- Challenge Any Lack of Diversity: It’s imperative that students see diversity on campus. Where there is a lack of diversity, students can advocate for more diverse opportunities. Start the discussion to create a more inclusive environment to enrich your learning environment.
- Advocate: Speak up for policies and organizations that address the systemic inequalities people of color are faced with that go beyond affirmative action. This starts within the community and can expand to educational and hiring policies on a holistic level.
- Let Universities Hear Your Voice: Remind these higher learning institutions through petitions, public discussions, and even social media that students should be evaluated through a wider lens than simply their standardized test scores. Students from diverse backgrounds are valuable to higher learning institutions.
- Create Community: Work together with others in your community to create mentorship roles for students of color who may face a lack of diversity in school. Partner with organizations and businesses to create a network to give back to students and give them opportunities they may not receive otherwise.
While many people of color are understandably upset about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action, it may also be a wake-up call for us to double down on our efforts to create more inclusive and equitable learning environments. We can make a difference without affirmative action, but it will take all of us working together to make it happen.
