Five Asian American groups under the banner of Asian Americans Advancing Justice today reaffirmed their commitment to race-based admissions in college.
The statement follows the Supreme Court decision to take up the case alleging discrimination against Asian American applicants at Harvard and the University of North Carolina.
The Scotus Blog reported the high court is being asked to overturn two previous rulings allowing the consideration of race. Political observers say the reopening of the cases filed by Students for Fair Admission may be an indication the new more conservative court may be prepared to pull back from affirmative action.
Students for Fair Admission is a group organized by White conservative Edward Blum. His group has lost almost every major lawsuit it has filed.
“Harvard’s mistreatment of Asian American applicants is appalling,” the plaintiffs wrote in their brief in the Harvard case, according to ABC News. “That Harvard engages in racial balancing and ignores race-neutral alternatives also proves that Harvard does not use race as a last resort.”
“Considering race as one factor among many in admissions decisions produces a more diverse student body which strengthens the learning environment for all,”Harvard President Lawrence Bacow said in a statement to PBS.
Many long-time Asian American groups consider the case a wedge issue meant to divide and separate Asian Americans from other minority groups.
“Amid a national reckoning with anti-Asian racism, we know that discrimination is not a relic of the past and continues to pervade and distort the lived experiences for people of color in this country every day,” Asian Americans Advancing Justice said in a statement to AsAmNews. “Affirmative action, diversity, and anti-discrimination programs are essential to opening up opportunities for women and people of color, including Asian Americans, in higher education and all aspects of public life, and have been foundational building blocks for a more just and equitable society.”
The case is expected to be taken up early in the 2022-23 Supreme Court session.
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