Graduate from college responds to Justice Thomas’ argument about affirmative action

Affirmative action practices in college admissions have been outlawed in a major decision by the Supreme Court, igniting a fiery discussion throughout the country. Concerns regarding the decision’s effects on educational equality and campus diversity have been raised.

To get their opinions on the subject, CNN visited with Janice Jackson, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and the current CEO of Hope Chicago, Andrew, a recent graduate headed to Columbia Law School, Kyra, a UC Berkeley alumnus, and Andrew.

Andrew underlined the importance of affirmative action in his life, the son of two lawyers and a 2019 UNC Chapel Hill graduate.

He expressed unhappiness with the Supreme Court’s decision, saying, “When I first came to UNC-Chapel Hill, I was one of the 11% of the campus that was African American in a state of North Carolina that was 22% African American.”

Andrew said that his participation in the lawsuit against the ban was sparked by seeing a Confederate rally on campus. He underlined the need of considering students of color’s viewpoints while making admissions decisions.

Kyra, a UC Berkeley graduate and the first person in her family to complete college, spoke about her time there. She referred to herself and other black students as the “1.9%” because of their decreasing presence on campus.

Since affirmative action was outlawed in California in 1996, black students at UC Berkeley have experienced a number of difficulties, which Kyra described.

Kyra said that she disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision, adding that “we need things like affirmative action to level the playing field for us.”

The CEO of Hope Chicago, a company that funds hundreds of kids’ college educations, Janice Jackson, voiced her displeasure with the decision.

She underlined that the choice will increase hurdles to education for pupils of color, particularly those of color who are black and Latino.

To guarantee an equitable opportunity for minority pupils, Janice challenged educators and decision-makers to use their imaginations and discover innovative solutions.

The CEO of Hope Chicago, a company that funds hundreds of kids’ college educations, Janice Jackson, voiced her displeasure with the decision.

She underlined that the choice will increase hurdles to education for pupils of color, particularly those of color who are black and Latino.

To guarantee the equitable opportunity for minority pupils, Janice challenged educators and decision-makers to use their imaginations and discover innovative solutions.

The decision has sparked a discussion over how to interpret the 14th Amendment and the right to equal treatment under the law.

Justice Clarence Thomas saw the judgment as a means of treating all people equally, but Kyra contended that the Declaration of Independence’s historical context—written during the era of slavery—should be taken into account.

In addition, Andrew emphasized the need of acknowledging persistent racial imbalances in society and the necessity of affirmative action to solve them.

Janice admitted that groups like Hope Chicago will have difficulties as a result of the decision. She voiced worry about the possible loss of diversity at colleges and universities and urged for group efforts to break down barriers and guarantee that everyone has equal access to education.

The Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action has had a profound effect on colleges and universities around the country. The ruling has reopened the conversation on diversity, equal chances, and racial discrimination in higher education.

Students, instructors, and activists will continue to have discussions to influence admissions rules in the future in an effort to create a more inclusive and fairer educational environment as the effects play out.