Affirmative action is a very controversial subject in the United States, especially among students that are currently applying to colleges and universities. Many prefer a merit-based acceptance system over a system that favors diversity and equality. This is what affirmative action does: it takes into consideration an applicant’s race, socioeconomic background, religion, and age. This is meant to make it easier for minority groups that have less access to basic education or funding to seek higher education.
Affirmative action used to be implemented in many colleges’ admission procedures, including some Ivy League schools. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action will be “significantly limited” in any admissions process. In other words, everyone will be on equal footing during college applications, despite an applicant’s background.
However, this ruling ignores the purpose of affirmative action, which is to provide an equal opportunity for all students who might be from an underrepresented or underprivileged demographic. Affirmative action also makes it easier for someone who grew up in a inadequate environment to get themselves out of that situation, and into a better life through higher education and the job opportunities that follow.
Some proponents of the Supreme Court ruling believe that admissions should be based solely on merit. However, this makes an incomplete picture of a person, looking solely at grades and not the person holistically. A person’s race, financial status, and gender identity are what make up their identity not just grades.
The Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action 6-3, Chief Justice John Roberts is a strong supporter of this ruling, saying, “Many universities have for too long 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.” This statement ignores the challenges that an applicant might have applying in the first place.
This is not an entirely new issue in the Supreme Court, In 2003, there was a similar case, “Grutter v. Bollinger,” arguing if race can be used in a college admissions process. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of affirmative action, the deciding vote coming from Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. “But where race is considered for the purpose of achieving equality no automatic proscription is in order,” Justice O’Connor said.
Affirmative action is a vital resource for communities that are historically underrepresented in higher education. Banning affirmative action not only cuts off a lifeline for these communities but furthers the cycle of discrimination and prejudice.
