Pa. Legislative Latino Caucus condemns Supreme Court affirmative action decision
PA Legislative Latino Caucus June 29, 2023 | 2:45 PM
HARRISBURG, June 29 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, banning race-conscious admissions, in the cases of Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College:
“We stand for diversity. We have focused our work on policies that would improve minority representation in all facets of life in our state. This is why we feel compelled to raise our voices against a decision that is clearly a setback in our fight for racial justice.
“This ends decades of precedent that granted schools access to programs aimed at boosting diversity on their campuses.
“This ruling will have a harmful impact for underrepresented minorities now that the race factor was eliminated from the equation; we fear the selection process of students with no race consideration.
“Affirmative action has been a crucial tool in addressing historical and ongoing disparities faced by underrepresented groups, including women, people of color and individuals from low-income backgrounds. It has played a pivotal role in leveling the playing field and opening doors of opportunity for those who have been historically disadvantaged, particularly for our sons and daughters here in Pennsylvania.
“The Supreme Court's decision disregards the systemic barriers that persist and perpetuate inequality in our society. By dismantling affirmative action, it sends a damaging message that the struggles faced by marginalized communities can simply be overlooked and ignored. This decision undermines the principles of fairness and equal opportunity that our nation should strive to uphold.
“By striking down affirmative action, the Supreme Court threatens to perpetuate cycles of discrimination and hinder progress towards a truly equitable society. It undermines efforts to bridge the gap between different socio-economic backgrounds, promotes exclusion rather than inclusion, and weakens our collective ability to confront systemic injustices.”
The members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus are Reps. Danilo Burgos, Manuel Guzman, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Donna Bullock, Jose Giral, Liz Hanbidge, Steve Samuelson and Ben Sanchez.