LULAC ANALYSIS: SUPREME COURT DECISION ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IS A HISTORIC SETBACK TO CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRESS
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says the Ruling Is Counter to America's Constitutional Guarantees of Equality
July 3, 2023
For more information, contact David Cruz at (818) 689-9991
davidcruz@lulac.org
Washington, D.C. - In a closely watched decision on Thursday, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action programs, setting a dangerous and discriminatory precedent that could have far-reaching implications. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization, expresses deep disappointment in the Court's ruling, which undermines the constitutional guarantees of equality.
"The Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action programs is a historic civil rights setback," stated LULAC President Domingo Garcia. "This decision could make it significantly more difficult for minorities, particularly low-income first-generation Latino and DREAMER students, to enter higher education institutions. It puts them at an immense disadvantage and perpetuates societal inequality and injustice."
President Garcia stressed the importance of not standing idly by in the face of this ruling, stating, "We must take action and ensure that access to higher education is not just a privilege for the privileged few. Only then can we ensure that all members of our society have the same opportunities to succeed."
The impact of this decision cannot be overstated. The ruling strips away a vital tool universities and higher education institutions have used since 1978 to promote diversity and equal opportunities. By recognizing that race plays a role in a student's ability to compete on the same level as their white colleagues, affirmative action aimed to address the subliminal or direct effects of segregation in life circumstances and education.
"Eliminating the rule of colorblindness or race neutrality in a segregated society is hypocritical, where race has and continues to matter," President Garcia emphasized. "Racial inequality is a deeply entrenched reality throughout the United States. This ruling is yet another attempt to reduce equality and opportunity for minorities, to solidify the preservation of power for the white population as their numbers decline."
While the immediate challenges to using race in admissions were brought against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the repercussions of this decision are expected to be felt across the nation. Removing the factor of race as a consideration in college admissions will destabilize, leading to a further decline in the ranks of Hispanic and Black students at the nation's best schools.
LULAC calls for unity among civil rights organizations to combat this egregious injustice. President Garcia urges all individuals and groups to take a stand on all fronts, using the powers of the courts and the ballot box to ensure that marginalized voices are heard.
"The world is changing, and it is time for the legal system to catch up," President Garcia declared. "Our Latino students deserve equal access to education, and LULAC will continue fighting until we right this wrong. We stand with Judge Sotomayor in recognizing that the Court's ruling cements a superficial rule of colorblindness in a society where race still matters."
As an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of the Latino community, LULAC will not accept a society that perpetuates inequality and denies equal opportunities. It is time for our nation to acknowledge the existence of racism and address the disparities faced by oppressed communities. Together, we can create a more just and equitable future for all.
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