YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Statement: Affirmative Action
On June 29, the US Supreme Court struck down college affirmative action programs, making it unlawful for colleges to take race into consideration as a specific factor in admissions. This ruling undermines over 45 years of progress for students of color as a result of affirmative action. Moreover, it creates barriers for youth to access higher education and ultimately the economic opportunities that academic degrees make available. The Supreme Court’s decision is a devastating blow to racial equity in our country, and it is a tragedy for us all. As Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson explained in her powerful dissenting opinion, “Although formal race-linked legal barriers are gone, race still matters to the lived experiences of all Americans in innumerable ways, and today’s ruling makes things worse, not better. If the colleges of this country are required to ignore a thing that matters, it will not go away. It will take longer for racism to leave us. And, ultimately, ignoring race just makes it matter more.” At YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, we know that race matters, and we remain committed to doing our racial equity work. The YWCA has led the charge to eliminate racism wherever it exists, and by any means necessary, for over 50 years. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago will continue to advance this important work in solidarity with our YWCA sisters and partners through our programs and advocacy efforts. Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure education and economic opportunities are available to all.