OCA Outraged by Supreme Court's Decision on Affirmative Action
For Immediate Release
June 29, 2023
Media Contact:
Socheata Sun, Communications Fellow
socheata.sun@ocanational.org
OCA condemns the Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions.
Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates expressed extreme outrage with the Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the Court of Appeals’ decision to ban affirmative action practices in university admissions.
The decision in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. University of North Carolina and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University will effectively allow states to prohibit the consideration of race and ethnicity as a factor in college admissions, despite the compelling evidence that such policies are beneficial to creating a holistic learning environment as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education.
“Affirmative action is not only beneficial for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI), but for all students and society as a whole” said OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates President Linda Ng, “By preventing holistic affirmative action policies from being implemented, the Supreme Court has ignored the reality of persistent institutional bias, racial discrimination, and inequality in our country - undermining the efforts of educators and advocates to create more equitable and diverse learning environments.”
“Today’s decision is an absolute gut punch to our country’s efforts in creating a more inclusive society for all. Affirmative action policies have been the victim of years of a well-funded intentionally dishonest misinformation campaign. Because of today’s ruling, we will see less diverse student bodies, a less prepared workforce, and ultimately a less competitive economy,” said OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates VP of Public Affairs Kendall Kosai. “Our nation’s future depends on racial equity and diversity in higher education to achieve a thriving, multiracial democracy. We must all continue to work together to achieve that goal, no matter the decision of the Supreme Court.
“Getting rid of affirmative action means that fewer Asian American students would be admitted to college. If test scores were the only factor in college admissions, about 20% of Asian Americans currently enrolled in elite institutions would not have been admitted," said OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates Executive Director Thu Nguyen, “OCA continues to support affirmative action policies that foster educational opportunities for students, a diverse workforce, and access for all historically marginalized individuals. The ability to have a fair chance to pursue higher education in the United States is the embodiment of the American Dream. We urge our members of Congress and allies to join us in enshrining equitable policies that advocate for a more just and inclusive society for all.”
Please direct all inquiries to OCA Communications Fellow Socheata Sun at socheata.sun@ocanational.org. View this press release on our website.
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OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.
