WASHINGTON, D.C. — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College that will no longer allow universities to consider a student’s race alongside other factors when determining admission status:
“Once again, this Supreme Court has decided to ignore decades of precedent in today’s ruling that eviscerates efforts to increase diversity in higher education. This decision will result in harm to everyone in this country, most notably students of color. We echo Justice Jackson’s dissent: ‘Deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.’ Polling has shown consistently that the majority of the American people support affirmative action, because they understand the inequities that have been created by generations of racism and white supremacy. The precedent reversed today worked to level the playing field and offer opportunities to populations that have been traditionally underserved and, for many years, outright excluded from institutions of higher learning. In California, affirmative action policies for public institutions have already unfortunately been outlawed by both legislative efforts and ballot measures, so today’s ruling will not have as large of an impact in the Golden State. Despite this, Equality California remains committed to continue the fight for increased diversity, equity and inclusion to create a fully just and equal society for all people.”
“Once again, this Supreme Court has decided to ignore decades of precedent in today’s ruling that eviscerates efforts to increase diversity in higher education. This decision will result in harm to everyone in this country, most notably students of color. We echo Justice Jackson’s dissent: ‘Deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.’
Polling has shown consistently that the majority of the American people support affirmative action, because they understand the inequities that have been created by generations of racism and white supremacy. The precedent reversed today worked to level the playing field and offer opportunities to populations that have been traditionally underserved and, for many years, outright excluded from institutions of higher learning.
In California, affirmative action policies for public institutions have already unfortunately been outlawed by both legislative efforts and ballot measures, so today’s ruling will not have as large of an impact in the Golden State. Despite this, Equality California remains committed to continue the fight for increased diversity, equity and inclusion to create a fully just and equal society for all people.”
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
