Affirmative Action: Addressing Racism’s Wrongs and the Ongoing Threats
The topic of affirmative action in college admissions and the decision of SCOTUS has sparked intense debate, with proponents advocating for equality and diversity instead of the previous version of affirmative action for whites only. There are now endless comprehensive examinations of our society’s broken state revealing deep-rooted racism and systemic barriers that have hindered opportunities for marginalized communities.
It’s not over. There are further ongoing threats posed by organizations such as the Alliance for Fair Board Recruitment, led by Edward Jay Blum, and their attempts to undermine diversity requirements in corporate boardrooms. The monies pumped into this organization could have helped put a dent in many of our student debts.
A Legacy of Discrimination and Ongoing Disparities
Throughout history, the United States has grappled with racial discrimination, as evident in Congress’s crafting of legislation that primarily benefitted white Americans, excluding Black Americans from progress. These deliberate accommodations of Jim Crow, such as the G.I. Bill, perpetuated racial inequalities.
Furthermore, discriminatory practices, including exclusion from the consumer credit market, hindered Black Americans’ ability to build and protect wealth for generations like white people have been able to do. Today, racial disparities persist, as seen in the significant gap between Black and White homeownership rates, higher property taxes on Black-owned homes, and the devaluation of their properties during economic downturns. What we see is a pretense of being victims when they own everything!
Educational and Professional Challenges
The consequences of systemic racism extend to education and professional spheres, where Black Americans face numerous hurdles. Despite progress, there remains a significant disparity between the percentage of Black high school graduates and the representation of Black undergraduates in state flagship institutions.
Economic disparities also contribute to educational challenges, with Black students often burdened with higher levels of student debt upon graduation. We are still $200k+ in debt for a master's degree that will never go away because it’s not designed to be paid off, save for a sudden windfall. These disparities further manifest in professional arenas, with the underrepresentation of free Black Americans (because I don’t think Justice Thomas is “free”—since he seems to have a master) in the legal field, politics, and business leadership positions inhibiting their ability to access equal opportunities.
In light of recent revelations that Thomas has been showered by billionaire Harlan Crow with over two decades’ worth of getaways on superyachts and private jets and various other gifts, none of which he ever reported, the jurist’s long con of principled advocacy for Black self-reliance and opposition to white largesse has finally run its course. Turns out, Thomas was never against reparations — he just wanted them for himself. He is and always has been precisely what he wrongly accuses Black folks of being. Source: The Nation.com
The Importance of Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is critical in addressing historical and ongoing injustices marginalized communities, including Black Americans, face. By considering race as one factor among many in college admissions (NCU has 40), it seeks to promote diversity, equalize opportunities, and dismantle systemic barriers. Affirmative action recognizes that a truly equitable society requires intentional efforts to counteract the effects of discrimination. It provides pathways to higher education and professional success for underrepresented groups, fostering inclusivity and creating a more representative society.
Ongoing Threats to Equity
While affirmative action remains a crucial tool for promoting justice, there are ongoing threats from organizations like the Alliance for Fair Board Recruitment, led by Edward Jay Blum. Blum’s organization has challenged diversity requirements for boards of certain publicly traded companies, including lawsuits against California’s race and gender quotas and Nasdaq’s comply-or-explain rule. Blum’s efforts have had success in California, where the race and gender quotas were found to be unconstitutional and struck down. These actions, driven by Blum and his sponsors, represent an attempt to undermine diversity initiatives and perpetuate unequal representation.
Affirmative action serves as a vital mechanism to rectify historical wrongs and address ongoing disparities resulting from systemic racism. By promoting diversity and equalizing opportunities, it fosters a more inclusive society. However, the fight for equality is not without its challenges, as evidenced by the ongoing threats posed by groups like the Alliance for Fair Board Recruitment, led by Ed Blum.
The success of their efforts to undermine diversity requirements in corporate boardrooms highlights the continued need for vigilance in defending and advancing initiatives that strive for a fair and equitable society. We must get more people of color into politics before they destroy our country.
