US Supreme Court rejects affirmative action in university admissions
Recently, US Supreme Court rejects affirmative action in university admission at Harvard and University of North Carolina. The Court ruled that affirmative action admission violate U.S. equal constitutional protection under the law.
For decades, Harvard, and a host of other ivy league schools have been actively discriminating against admission of Asians and white students. This decision, in theory, bars these institutions from continuing their admission discrimination based on race instead of merit.
In an ideal world, we would have a system that admits students and employees solely on the basis of merits without any considering for race or ethnicity. Unfortunately, with affirmative action, a typical Asian student has a SAT score 450 points higher than that of Blacks to be considered for the same spot in university.
Although this case is only restricted to academic institution, its legal implications are widespread considering many institutions of higher education, corporations and even military forces have backed affirmative action and might face future lawsuits.
In my personal opinion, racial diversity is not important. What is important is merit, competence and capability- qualities that fundamentally pertain to job performance as opposed to race which has often time has nothing to do with a job. Institutions that attempt to fosters racial diversity at the cost of efficiency and competency will eventually go bankrupt.
References
Chung A. $ Kruzel J. (2023, June 29), US Supreme Court rejects affirmative action in university admissions. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-supreme-court-strikes-down-university-race-conscious-admissions-policies-2023-06-29/
VU, your post raises thought-provoking points about the recent US Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in university admissions. The ruling indeed has significant implications for educational institutions and beyond. The call for a merit-based system, as you mention, is a topic of ongoing debate.
ReplyDeleteThe focus on merit, competence, and capability is undeniably crucial for any institution's success. Your concerns about potential compromises in efficiency and competency due to prioritizing racial diversity are valid. While striving for diversity can enrich perspectives and foster inclusivity, it's essential to strike a balance that doesn't undermine core competencies.
The idea that race might not always be directly linked to job performance is an important aspect to consider. The challenge lies in determining the right balance between representation and meritocracy. Encouraging diversity doesn't have to come at the expense of efficiency; in fact, diverse teams can often bring unique insights that contribute positively to problem-solving and innovation.
Your prediction of potential future lawsuits affecting not only educational institutions but also corporations and military forces underscores the wide-reaching implications of this decision. As we navigate these discussions, finding ways to uphold fairness, inclusivity, and performance remains a complex task. Your perspective sheds light on the need for a comprehensive approach that honors both merit-based selection and the benefits of diversity.