Last summer, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in the case of Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, effectively bringing an end to affirmative action. This decision was seen as a step towards promoting excellence and merit in the country, eliminating instances where white and Asian applicants were overlooked for arbitrary diversity criteria. As a high school English teacher, I had personally witnessed many qualified students being denied admission to elite universities due to their race, while less qualified peers of a different race were admitted. This practice was considered unfair and contrary to the principles of equal opportunity.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, affirmative action has not disappeared entirely. The American Bar Association (ABA) and New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) have continued to encourage law schools to give admissions preferences to black and Hispanic applicants in a way that circumvents the Court’s ruling. This has led to the implementation of practices that claim to be race-neutral but are, in practice, race-conscious.
The use of affirmative action perpetuates problems within the education system and workplace, hindering the advancement of hardworking individuals and compromising standards. It also fosters racial prejudice and hinders racial harmony. While some advocate for diversity through affirmative action, others, like Renu Mukherjee at the Manhattan Institute, promote the use of pipeline programs to promote diversity without resorting to affirmative action. These programs provide academic support, mentorship, and career development opportunities for students, aiming to raise their qualifications rather than lower standards for admission.
In order to create a more productive and harmonious society, it is important to move away from affirmative action and focus on programs that help individuals of all races and backgrounds succeed. This requires objective assessment and remediation of social issues facing nonwhite Americans, as well as a shift towards personal accountability and agency. By supporting and funding pipeline programs, Americans can work towards a more diverse and equitable society, moving past the challenges posed by affirmative action.
