Court Extremists Rollback Civil Rights

Statement of Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 29, 2023 – “Once again, a group of right-wing extremist Supreme Court Justices have overturned 50 years of precedent based on their narrow ideological agenda. This decision to effectively bar most race-conscious affirmative action in college admissions removes one of the most effective tools we have to help college campuses reflect the diversity of our world and prepare students to succeed in it. The deliberate vagueness and lack of guidance for colleges and universities in this opinion will have devastating consequences for students of color in future generations who already face systemic barriers to equitable education in our country. It’s clear that the conservative majority is on a mission to corrupt the 14th amendment – a beacon of equality in our Constitution – and instead turn it into a barrier to equality and justice, making it harder for universities to reach their goal to ensure their campuses reflect the diversity of our nation.

From research and lived experience, it is clear that race-conscious affirmative action in higher education has offered a path to socioeconomic mobility for students of color, especially women of color, improved the quality of education and broadened horizons for people of all backgrounds. It has diversified our campuses and workplaces to better include and represent the perspectives of women, people of color, and other marginalized communities. And it has helped break down the persistent stereotypes that have plagued women students of color across their lifetimes. Today’s decision will not only create more barriers to equitable education, but also impact the diversity of the pipeline for our workforce at all levels, particularly in our already strapped health care workforce – which will further harm health outcomes for women of color as well as economic mobility for health care workers of color.

Despite the Supreme Court’s actions today, we know that racial discrimination is not a thing of the past. This decision is another warning sign that the far-right majority on the Supreme Court is determined to use their unchecked power to turn back the clock and roll back the civil rights and human rights that generations of activists fought to win. And we know that other fundamental rights are at risk.

Our nation’s future depends on building a thriving multiracial democracy and equitable economy. Racial equity and diversity in education are key tools for achieving these goals. As the right-wing majority of the Court continues to undermine fundamental democratic values, the National Partnership will redouble our efforts to build an economy rooted in equity to ensure that every American — especially those who face the harshest barriers and biases — can participate fully and pursue their dreams.”

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