Black Justices in Court Engage in Heated Exchange During Race Case

In a significant blow to affirmative action, the Supreme Court recently delivered a groundbreaking ruling. What made it even more noteworthy was the blistering dissent voiced by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the court’s first Black female justice. In her dissent, Justice Jackson not only expressed her disagreement with the majority opinion, but also engaged in a spirited exchange with Justice Clarence Thomas, the court’s other Black justice. This confrontation included direct references to each other by name, making it even more dramatic. This ruling has garnered widespread coverage and attention. Let’s take a closer look:

• The ruling: Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, which declared the college admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina that considered race unconstitutional. Roberts argued that these policies lacked clear objectives, perpetuated negative racial stereotypes, and failed to have meaningful end points. You can read the full majority opinion on CNN.
• Jackson: Justice Jackson strongly criticized the ruling in her dissent. She accused the majority of displaying “let-them-eat-cake obliviousness” and imposing “colorblindness for all” through legal means. She argued that disregarding race in law does not eliminate its relevance in real life. Furthermore, she expressed concern that the court’s detachment from the country’s past and present experiences hinders the important work being done by institutions like UNC to address real-world problems in America. Read Justice Jackson’s full dissent on Politico. It is worth noting that Justice Jackson recused herself from the Harvard case due to her previous involvement with its Board of Overseers, but she did participate in the UNC case. As a result, the rulings were 6-2 and 6-3, respectively.
• Jackson, II: In her dissent, Justice Jackson went a step further and argued that the ruling actually worsens the situation. She asserted that ignoring race as a factor in college admissions will not make racism disappear, but rather prolong its lifespan. She emphasized that by disregarding race, it will ultimately become an even more significant consideration. The Hill highlights that although Justice Jackson recused herself from the Harvard case, she actively participated in the UNC case. Therefore, the rulings had a majority vote of 6-2 and 6-3, respectively.