Civil Rights Group Celebrates Supreme Court Ruling,
Reiterates Need for Racially Representative School
Communities
In a 4-3 ruling on
Fisher v.
University of Texas,
the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that the University
of Texas at Austin could continue to use race as one of the
factors weighed in admissions decisions. In response, Judith
Browne Dianis, executive director of the national office of
the racial justice organization Advancement Project,
released the following statement:
“With our nation facing a transformative period in racial
justice, it is as critical as ever that our universities
reflect the demographics of our society. All students,
including students of color, deserve a voice in their
respective institutions of higher learning. School
communities work best when everyone has a seat at the table.
“While our country continues to bear the scars of a racist
past, admissions policies that ensure diversity and
inclusion remain essential to progress. Universities across
the United States – including Texas’ flagship public
university – practiced segregation for the majority of their
existence, explicitly denying students of color equal
access. As we confront new chapters of both racial tension
and racial reconciliation, it is necessary that universities
consider the holistic experiences of applicants – including
the ways race has shaped their worldview and influenced
their access to opportunities.
“Education is richest when student bodies reflect the unique
makeup of our communities. Universities are strongest when
scholars contribute knowledge that cannot simply be
learned, but
lived, through their unique cultural
experiences, including those influenced by race. Admissions
policies that promote diversity and inclusion are necessary,
and we are pleased by the Supreme Court’s ruling to reaffirm
them.”
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