In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that colleges and universities are no longer permitted to consider race as a specific criterion for granting admission. This decision overturns long-established precedent that has historically benefited Black and Latino students in higher education.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, known for her liberal views, expressed her dissenting opinion, asserting that the ruling will lead to a less equitable education system in the United States. She argued that the decision allows for the consideration of an individual’s race in assessing suspicion but forbids it when evaluating their unique contributions to fostering a diverse learning environment. Sotomayor criticized this interpretation as both indefensible and contrary to the principles enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law.
The majority opinion concurred with Sotomayor’s statement, asserting that the decision permits the use of race in evaluating individualized suspicion but prohibits its use in assessing an individual’s distinct contributions to promoting diversity in the educational setting. This interpretation was deemed legally unsound and inconsistent with the principles outlined in the Fourteenth Amendment, which safeguards equal protection for all.
