We Cannot Ignore the Impact of Systematic Racism in College Admissions

The following statement is from the CWA Human Rights Committee:

Affirmative Action is a system that has helped open opportunities to all and provide an environment where everyone has a chance to succeed. Eliminating opportunities for communities of color to obtain higher education will create immeasurable negative effects across both our country and our economy.

On Thursday, by votes of 6-3 and 6-2, the U.S. Supreme Court in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. the University of North Carolina struck down affirmative action programs in college admissions, declaring race cannot be a factor and forcing institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies.

This is the same court in which one of the justices who voted to end affirmative action has acknowledged that the policy played a positive role in his own admissions to college and law schools.

Higher education should be representative of America. We cannot ignore the way that systemic racism affects access to colleges and universities. We must lift our voices and our actions to advocate for a more equitable playing field where opportunities exist for all.

CWA is proud of our diverse membership. We stand in solidarity to fight for the empowerment of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please join us in our activism to stand up and fight back.

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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

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