Washington, DC, June 23 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) warmly welcomed today’s ruling by the Supreme Court upholding the use of affirmative action to insure diversity at universities. While the Court struck down a University of Michigan undergraduate admissions policy based on points that included race as a criterion, it upheld a University of Michigan Law School policy that permits admissions committees to take into account racial identity and the goal of student
diversification.
Writing for the majority, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote, “Access to legal education (and thus the legal profession) must be inclusive of talented and qualified individuals of every race and ethnicity, so that all members of our heterogeneous society may participate in the educational institutions that provide the training and education necessary to succeed in America.”
ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, “ADC warmly welcomes this important ruling by the Supreme Court upholding the compelling government interest in ensuring diversity in institutions of higher education. We join with the rest of the civil rights community in reaffirming our commitment to overcome the legacy of historical discrimination and insure that our society genuinely provides equal opportunity to all.” She added that, “The Court has properly recognized that there is no contradiction between diversity and merit, and has reaffirmed that the government has a compelling interest in ensuring diversity in higher education and other key sectors of American life.” ADC President Oakar concluded, “This ruling helps to reassure us that the Supreme Court remains determined to defend basic American values regarding fairness and equality.”