On April 22nd, the Supreme Court ruled in a six to two decision upholding an initiative put in place in Michigan in 2006 banning the use of racial preferences in college admissions. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy stated in an opinion that the case focused on whether or not the federal court has the right to determine an issue chiefly concerning the state of Michigan. The case did not determine whether or not racial preferences should be taken into account in the college process. However, Justice Sonja Sotomayor strongly disagreed with the ruling and believes “the constitution does not protect racial minorities from political defeat.” She also wrote in her dissent of the case how “race matters” in the United States. The issue of using race in the college admissions process has dated back to 1977 in
Regents of the University of California v Bakke case in which the Supreme Court ruled that race could be used as one focus in admissions criteria, further strengthening affirmative action.
The decision that was ruled last week adds to the continuing controversy as to whether or not race should be used at all in the college admission process.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/us/supreme-court-michigan-affirmative-action-ban.html?hp&_r=0
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/22/justice/scotus-michigan-affirmative-action/index.html?hpt=hp_t2