Freshman students are soon to begin their journey at SUNY, CUNY, and private colleges in New York and throughout the country. However, this incoming class may be one of the last to truly represent racial and ethnic diversity. It is crucial that our elected officials take action to prevent this from happening in the Empire State.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in June, which struck down affirmative action policies in college admissions, did not level the playing field for higher education opportunities as it claimed to do. In fact, it has made the process even more biased in favor of the privileged.
One of the basic principles of affirmative action was that all applicants had to meet the academic standards set by the college or university before race could be considered as a factor in admission. This policy aimed to address the racial imbalance caused by politics rather than qualifications, which resulted from decades of discrimination and exclusion against minorities.
However, with the recent ruling, nonacademic and extracurricular activities, which still play a role in admission decisions, will now have an even greater impact. High school students from lower-income families, many of whom are people of color, often lack the same opportunities and resources to participate in extracurricular activities as their wealthier peers. They may not be able to afford travel expenses, club fees, or other costs associated with these activities. Additionally, many of them may need to work part-time to support their families, but employment at places like McDonald’s or Walmart may not impress college admissions boards.
Furthermore, there is the issue of “legacy students” – mostly white applicants who have family members who attended a particular university. These applicants are given preferential consideration, which was not addressed in the Supreme Court’s ruling. It is essential for Congress or at least our state legislature to address and put an end to this practice.
By striking down affirmative action policies, the court eliminated a specific aspect of admissions that benefited minority applicants. However, in doing so, whether intentionally or not, they have enhanced criteria that favor more affluent and predominantly white applicants. This raises concerns about fairness.
It is important to acknowledge that this is a complex issue with pros and cons. Race questions always create difficulties and controversies in social policy. However, we cannot ignore the long-lasting effects of a century of discrimination and obstacles in education. The majority on the court completely missed the mark if they believed that ending affirmative action would make higher education opportunities more merit-based and less arbitrary.
Six decades ago, Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett infamously attempted to block James Meredith and others from enrolling in the University of Mississippi. He was on the wrong side of justice and history. Similarly, the Supreme Court is now on the wrong side by disregarding the importance of affirmative action.
In conclusion, the issues surrounding affirmative action in college admissions are intricate and require careful consideration. However, it is crucial to recognize the historical impact of discrimination in education and take steps towards creating equal opportunities for all. The recent Supreme Court ruling may have exacerbated the biases in the admissions process, favoring more privileged and predominantly white applicants. This is a matter that our elected officials must address to ensure fairness and equal representation.
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