Our Statement on the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Cases
June 27, 2023 - This week, the Supreme Court is expected to make a landmark ruling on the affirmative action cases Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina.
Affirmative action is a policy created to provide educational and economic opportunities to
members of historically marginalized groups. This policy is one of the major tenets upholding
the Civil Rights Act of 1965. While first characterized by race, affirmative action has expanded
to providing equalizing opportunities based on gender, disability, and sexual identity. Affirmative
action now seeks to diversify American institutions by providing educational and employment
opportunities from those who have been cast out from these spaces.
Many critics argue that affirmative action is a form of reverse racism towards white males. This is not true.
The United States affirmation of whiteness, maleness, heterosexuality, and ability is
omnipresent. From the Constitution to beauty standards, family structure, and infrastructure,
these norms are ingrained within our society.
The Supreme Court is more than likely going to strike down affirmative action in university
admission processes because there are six conservatives and three progressives on the bench.
If stricken down, this policy would be a direct attack on people of color, specifically Black and
Latinx/e people, women, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
This would serve as a declaration from the highest court in the nation that minorities are not
deserving of affirmation, support, or assistance. It would effectively remove governmental
accountability and prevent the government from righting the wrongs of hundreds of years of
oppression that has placed minorities at a disadvantage in society.
With this in mind, it is important for our communities to come together and affirm one another.
This court has shown countless times it will not protect us. We must support our communal
infrastructures such as local organizations and historically Black colleges and universities that
value minority culture, scholarly ability, and histories.
Until the legacies of slavery, indigenous genocide, colonialism, patriarchy, and all other
systemic oppressions are addressed, affirmative action is the bare minimum. It is important we
uplift, empower and validate ourselves within our communities. The opposition toward
affirmative action reflects the current state of power, one that is uninterested in the rectification of history and inequity, if it inconveniences the dominant order.
It is known that employment and education are key towards building a better life.
SisterLove calls for economic justice and the self-determination of all marginalized peoples. The striking down of affirmative action vehemently goes against these principles. SisterLove will continue the work of supporting and empowering our communities. If you would like to find out more information about SisterLove and its advocacy efforts in the community go to our Policy and Advocacy Program Page