USA
Supreme court bans skin color as a factor in college admissions – this should encourage minorities
For decades, US universities have also taken the skin color of applicants into account when it comes to allocating university places. However, according to the Supreme Court, this promotion of minorities is now inadmissible. The reactions are mixed.
In a historic ruling, the US Supreme Court has fundamentally prohibited universities from selecting applicants for university places skin color into account. The Washington Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the practice, known as affirmative action or affirmative action, is unconstitutional. With this approach, universities had tried for decades to ensure better access for minorities – especially Afro-Americans.
The verdict was passed by a conservative majority on the Supreme Court of six to three judges’ votes. “The student must be treated as an individual on the basis of his or her experience – not on the basis of race,” Court President John Roberts wrote in the ruling. In the United States, the term “race” (race) is used to distinguish population groups based on their skin color.
Joe Biden criticizes Supreme Court verdict
The verdict has caused divided political reactions. US President Joe Biden has criticized the verdict. Biden said in a televised address at the White House on Thursday that he “does not agree at all” with the Supreme Court’s decision. The judge’s ruling against the practice known as affirmative action or positive discrimination was a “grave disappointment”.
With its decision, the conservative-dominated court has made a departure from “decades of jurisprudence,” said the politician from the Democratic Party. “This decision must not be the last word.”
Colleges should remain committed to a student body with “diverse backgrounds and diverse experiences that reflect all of America,” Biden said. That is also possible after the judgment of the Court of Justice. In addition, the Ministry of Education should examine how more diversity in the student body can be provided. “The truth is, and we all know it, discrimination still exists in America,” Biden said. “Today’s decision doesn’t change that.”
Ex-President Obama is critical
Former US President Barack Obama said on Thursday that like all politics, affirmative action was “not perfect”. But she allowed him and his wife Michelle “to prove that we belong”.
Now everyone must work to ensure that young people get the opportunities they deserve, said the first black US president in history. Obama’s wife Michelle said the Supreme Court decision “breaks my heart”.
“Devastating blow to our education system”
Senator Cory Booker of Obama’s Democratic Party spoke of a “devastating blow to our education system across the country.” Affirmative action was a tool “to break down systemic hurdles,” added the African American.
The ruling by the Supreme Court caused jubilation among the opposition Republicans. Former President Donald Trump spoke of a “great day for America”. In the future, only the performance of the individual will count. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Republican, also welcomed the ruling. “Now students will be able to compete based on equal standards and individual merit,” said McCarthy. “This will make the process for admission to higher education fairer and uphold equality before the law.”
US Republicans emphasize equality of opportunity
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said the ruling will give all students a better chance of “realizing the American dream.” “Selecting winners and losers based on skin color is fundamentally wrong.”
Measures known as Affirmative Action were introduced in the 1960s as part of the US civil rights movement. The aim was to give African Americans better access to good educational institutions after centuries of oppression, discrimination and disadvantage. Hispanics and Indigenous people should also benefit from the programs.
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However, such programs were controversial from the start. For example, white university applicants went to court with the argument that they were victims of “reverse discrimination”. Critics also claim that taking skin color into account cements the division of people into different groups and thus divides society.
In 1978, the Supreme Court ruled that universities should not use fixed quotas based on skin color when selecting applicants. However, skin color or ethnic origin could be used as one of several criteria to ensure diversity in the student body.
Now the court, which has moved to the right in recent years, overturned the principle of affirmative action at universities – a historic turning point.