Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) found the consideration of race as one of several factors
in admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina to be unconstitutional. The ruling applies to all institutions of higher education.
The landmark ruling, which overturned decades of precedent, was expected but devastating nevertheless, especially to students of color, their families, and their
allies. Over the past 24 hours, National College Attainment Network (NCAN) members, many of whom work with the students who will be most affected, have been reacting to the Court’s decision. Below, we’ve uplifted some of their responses.
Oliver Scholars
In a statement, Dr. Danielle Moss Cox, CEO of Oliver Scholars, wrote:
“The Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action is a resounding rejection of a policy aimed to reverse centuries of Black disenfranchisement specifically and that of marginalized communities more broadly. As W.E.B. DuBois once said, “the United States
will either destroy ignorance or ignorance will destroy the United States.”
Get Schooled’s Executive Director and NCAN Board Member John Branam wrote in a post on LinkedIn:
“Today's Supreme Court's decision to disallow race-conscious admissions efforts in higher education undermines America's modest, but critical, response to 400+ years of systemic racism. Get Schooled has always - and will always - stood strong with Black
and Brown youth, and we will continue to support them in preparing to continue their education after high school, being successful in college, and securing their first jobs. Our efforts will not waver in the face of the high court's decision. Reach
out to partner or support us if you want to be part of the solution to ensure more Black and Brown youth access and succeed in higher education.”
Latino U College Access (LUCA)
In an email, LUCA’s Executive Director Cosette Gutierrez wrote:
“As a first-generation college graduate myself, I remember the feelings of loneliness and insecurity I felt, often questioning whether or not I belonged. I was comforted, however, to be on a campus like MIT that believed in the value of diversity and
created a welcoming environment for students like me.”
“I am disappointed that today’s SCOTUS decision will limit access to education and obstruct opportunities for students of color – deserving students whose hard work is being ignored and who are being held back from achieving their dreams.”
“LUCA believes in the power of education. We stand behind our Scholars and all underrepresented students. We believe in their potential and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure more first-generation students make their college dreams come true.
We will continue assuring them that they belong.”
ECMC Foundation
In an email, President of the ECMC Foundation Jacob Fraire wrote:
“As a first-generation college graduate, I have experienced firsthand the power of higher education to pull generations from the jaws of poverty. I deeply empathize with those who miss the chance to reach their fullest potential because they couldn’t
get into college or once they got there, they were not well served by institutions and departed without a credential. There were many times I questioned my own postsecondary path, concerned that I was not contributing to my family’s financial wellbeing
while pursuing my academics. More than ever, we need a higher education system that embraces all types of students and college and university campuses across the country where every student belongs.”
“It is deeply troubling that more than 40 million individuals across the country have earned college credit
but not a degree. This figure increased by 2.3 million in recent years. These sobering statistics remind us that we still had much work to do, even before today's decision. We must take action to change a system that was never intended to serve students
like me.”
“Our nation’s recent history has entailed painful, arduous, exhausting, and recurring struggles to overcome the pervasive and obdurate structural barriers to advancing equity, opportunity, and justice for people of color and other marginalized communities.
We have chosen to dedicate every ounce of our institutional equity to joining that struggle. That will not change.”
“So, tomorrow we resume our work with the same passion, commitment, skill, and resolve that has characterized our work for decades. We are in service to others. And they need more than ever our best thinking, our deepest engagement, our full resources,
and our hearts. They will have it.”
In a statement, Gaby Pacheco, TheDream.US Director of Advocacy, Development, and Communications, said:
“During our decade of operation, TheDream.US has provided more than 10,000 scholarships to DREAMers. In the process, we have had more than 10,000 reminders about why expanding opportunities and accessibility for these students to attend, afford, and succeed
in college and beyond is so beneficial - not only for these students and their families, but for the campuses they attend, they communities they enrich, and the larger nation they call home.”
“Whether it's today's Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action or ongoing legal and legislative limbo over DACA and DREAMers’ futures, we stand with our Scholars and alumni and remain committed to sharing their stories as reminders of why expanding
higher education access and broader opportunities for them to participate and succeed in our shared country is so meaningful.”
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