The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that race can no longer be considered as a factor in college admissions, effectively ending affirmative action in higher education. The 6-3 decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, came in two cases, Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University.
In Fisher, the court upheld the University of Texas’s affirmative action program, but it also said that the program must be narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest. In Students for Fair Admissions, the court ruled that Harvard’s affirmative action program was not narrowly tailored and therefore violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
The ruling is a major victory for conservative activists who have long sought to end affirmative action. They argue that affirmative action is a form of reverse discrimination that unfairly benefits minorities at the expense of whites.
Supporters of affirmative action argue that it is necessary to address the legacy of racial discrimination in the United States. They say that affirmative action helps to create a more diverse and inclusive society and that it gives minorities a fair chance to compete for admission to selective colleges and universities.
The ruling is likely to have a significant impact on college admissions across the country. Many colleges and universities have used race as a factor in admissions for decades, and it is unclear how they will comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Some colleges may choose to abandon affirmative action altogether, while others may find other ways to achieve diversity in their student body.
The ruling is also likely to spark a new round of debate about affirmative action. Supporters of affirmative action are likely to argue that the ruling is a setback for civil rights, while opponents are likely to celebrate the decision as a victory for colorblind justice.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action is a complex and controversial issue. There are strong arguments on both sides of the debate, and it is likely that the issue will continue to be debated for years to come.
