Affirmative action lasted over 50 years: 3 essential reads explaining how it ended
The ConversationJul 07, 2023
MIT: Student Diversity Has Dropped Since Affirmative Action Ban
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The Facts
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) says it has witnessed a drop in student diversity in its 1.1K incoming freshman class following the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action in admissions in 2023.
Only 16% of those enrolled in MIT's undergraduate class of 2028 were Black, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander. The baseline in recent years was 25%.
The Spin
Left narrative
The US Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action in college admissions was a misguided decision, ignoring the complexities of a diverse society. By dismissing the historical and systemic racial discrimination that still impacts minorities, it promoted an unrealistic vision of a "colorblind" society. It risks perpetuating inequality and reversing progress.
Right narrative
The US Supreme Court simply upheld the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution's 14th Amendment. Race-based admissions violate the principle of eliminating all forms of racial discrimination. True equality means not considering race at all. Admissions should focus on individual achievements rather than racial identity. A colorblind approach to education is important.
Narrative C
The Supreme Court's ruling last year has only exposed US colleges' reluctance to genuinely promote diversity. Instead of eliminating legacy preferences and other practices that favor wealthy, predominantly white applicants, many elite institutions have doubled down on these exclusionary mechanisms. The ruling has highlighted how they prioritize preserving the status quo of the wealthy elite over expanding opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged students of color.
