Do Race-Conscious Programs in Public University Admissions Policies Violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Guarantee of Equal Protection Under the Law?
Michael Gibbons, December 1st, 2015, Issue 17
Facts:
Race may be used for public universities during the admission process to choose which students to accept. In theory by allowing race to be a factor in the process, it will help the country reach equality among all races and classes. However, some believe that it is a step backwards and that this process is a form of “reverse discrimination” and, “a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment,” (Katsh 255). The Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education eliminating segregation in schools, a very controversial topic which required the 101st Airborne of …show more content…
The law school aims at finding the most qualified students which will succeed and bring diversity to the program and school. The school claims that test scores are not necessarily as important to them as they are to other schools, and that other “variables” mean more. For example, the “quality of the undergraduate institution,” or the “enthusiasm of recommenders” count more for or against an applicant with race being a similar factor. The process does not violate the Fourteenth Amendment because there is nothing saying that specific racial groups are being discriminated against, nor are specific racial groups being singled out. The Court has ruled that the school’s primary interest is to ensure “a diverse student body” (Katsh 262). As long as the school, in this case the University of Michigan uses race to select a class which is diverse and academically gifted, there is no violation of the Fourteenth …show more content…
For years racism has lingered in this country and poisoned impressionable minds. By using race to determine college acceptance, we are allowing race to become a factor again, and it recognized by the United States Supreme Court, the highest court in this country. By allowing race to be a factor for college admissions, Brown v. Board of Education mine as well be rescinded and thrown out the window along with the progress we have made as a nation for racial equality. I am not saying racism does not exist; one can turn on any news channel and see evidence in it any night of the year. However from the abolition of slavery, to the abolition of the Jim Crow laws, to the level of diversity in our schools today, racism is on the decline. Choosing one student over the other based on nothing more than race is the very definition of racism, and must not be allowed to continue, especially in an institute of higher
Michael Gibbons, December 1st, 2015, Issue 17
Facts:
Race may be used for public universities during the admission process to choose which students to accept. In theory by allowing race to be a factor in the process, it will help the country reach equality among all races and classes. However, some believe that it is a step backwards and that this process is a form of “reverse discrimination” and, “a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment,” (Katsh 255). The Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education eliminating segregation in schools, a very controversial topic which required the 101st Airborne of …show more content…
The law school aims at finding the most qualified students which will succeed and bring diversity to the program and school. The school claims that test scores are not necessarily as important to them as they are to other schools, and that other “variables” mean more. For example, the “quality of the undergraduate institution,” or the “enthusiasm of recommenders” count more for or against an applicant with race being a similar factor. The process does not violate the Fourteenth Amendment because there is nothing saying that specific racial groups are being discriminated against, nor are specific racial groups being singled out. The Court has ruled that the school’s primary interest is to ensure “a diverse student body” (Katsh 262). As long as the school, in this case the University of Michigan uses race to select a class which is diverse and academically gifted, there is no violation of the Fourteenth …show more content…
For years racism has lingered in this country and poisoned impressionable minds. By using race to determine college acceptance, we are allowing race to become a factor again, and it recognized by the United States Supreme Court, the highest court in this country. By allowing race to be a factor for college admissions, Brown v. Board of Education mine as well be rescinded and thrown out the window along with the progress we have made as a nation for racial equality. I am not saying racism does not exist; one can turn on any news channel and see evidence in it any night of the year. However from the abolition of slavery, to the abolition of the Jim Crow laws, to the level of diversity in our schools today, racism is on the decline. Choosing one student over the other based on nothing more than race is the very definition of racism, and must not be allowed to continue, especially in an institute of higher