On the Striking Down of Affirmative Action in the College Admissions Process by the United States Supreme Court
East Harlem Tutorial Program, Public Statement on United States Supreme Court Ruling Striking Down Affirmative Action in the College Admissions Process
New York, NY—Today's decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to gut affirmative action out of the college admissions process attempts to erase the long history of racial injustice in the United States. While imperfect, affirmative action allowed for the applications of students of color to be reviewed within the context of racial prejudice in this country.
We know that without race-conscious admissions practices, colleges will be less accessible and more homogenous. At best this decision attempts to end racism by preventing its consideration in a process that has lifelong impact. Moving forward with indifference to race in the college admission process shows little understanding of American history and a reliance on the unrealistic belief that inequality based on race no longer exists.
East Harlem Tutorial Program will continue to advocate for our students to pursue the future of their choice, whether it be college or the workforce. That includes advocating for colleges to find ways to acknowledge the history of racism and make the admissions process more just. We know this decision has the potential to have negative effects for generations to come in communities like East Harlem, which are majority people of color and have historically been under-resourced by the government. That is why as an organization, and as individual educators, we will use this ruling as a catalyst to propel us to continue teaching our scholars at the highest academic levels, always striving for excellence.
This decision, which breaks with historical precedents that were meant to protect communities of color, will result in harmful consequences and limitations to their educational potential. Ultimately, this ruling will have a negative impact on the socioeconomic status of the communities it is designed to impact. It is necessary to reform the court to better represent the diversity and needs of our country.
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