On today’s episode of Hard Knock Radio, a panel of distinguished academic scholars, organizers, and lawyers convened to discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling to end Affirmative Action. With guests including renowned author Jeff Chang, Dr. Michael Benitez, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Professor Gaye Theresa Johnson from UCLA, and Natasha Wilkins, a lawyer with the National Center for Youth Law’s Education team, the conversation delved into various aspects of this significant ruling.
A Contentious History and False Narratives
The discussion began by examining the longstanding and contentious history surrounding Affirmative Action. Conservative forces have often falsely claimed that individuals benefiting from affirmative action were unqualified and unfairly taking jobs away from qualified white men. Addressing the false narrative that Affirmative Action constitutes reverse discrimination, the panel emphasized the need to challenge these misconceptions.
Jeff Chang’s Insights on Asians and Discrimination
Author Jeff Chang provided insightful details on the attempts to portray Asians as the face of ending discrimination, which gained prominence in the recent Supreme Court decision. Chang highlighted the extensive history of Asian individuals and groups deeply involved in the fight for Affirmative Action over the past 75 years. He shared his experiences during the 1980s at UC Berkeley, where heated battles were fought to preserve Affirmative Action. Chang argued that the ruling would lead to de facto Jim Crow segregation and have lasting effects on income inequality. He also pointed out the hypocrisy in framing the debate as a push towards a color-blind society and meritocracy, citing historical evidence that contradicts such claims.
The Complexities of the Asian Community
Both Chang and Dr. Benitez emphasized the need to distinguish between politically conservative Asians who supported the Supreme Court decision and marginalized Asian groups. The media often lumps all Asians together, disregarding the socioeconomic disparities within the community. Dr. Benitez noted the differences between middle-class Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean individuals who are commonly portrayed as the face of Asians in the US, and marginalized Southeast Asian groups such as Cambodians, Laotians, and Filipinos, who face additional challenges.
Dr. Benitez’s Insights on Affirmative Action’s Evolution
Dr. Benitez expanded on the evolution of Affirmative Action since the Kennedy Era in the mid-1960s. He highlighted the primary beneficiaries as white women, dispelling the myth that marginalized groups disproportionately benefit. Furthermore, he discussed the issues of space cultivation and positionality and stressed the importance of understanding who the current Supreme Court aligns itself with. Dr. Benitez connected this ruling to other restrictive policies and movements that undermine marginalized communities, such as the overturning of Roe v Wade and the removal of African American studies from classrooms.
Natasha Wilkins’ Perspective on the Ruling
Natasha Wilkins shared that her organization filed an Amicus Brief in the court case, demonstrating their involvement in the matter. While acknowledging the troubling and horrific nature of the ruling, she cautioned against granting it more power than warranted. Wilkins clarified that the ruling does not prohibit students from discussing how race influenced their experiences when applying to colleges. In fact, she encouraged students to continue sharing their lived experiences. Wilkins emphasized that universities still possess various tools to promote diversity and should proactively utilize them.
Legacy Admissions and Donor Avenues
During the show, the issue of students entering college through legacy and donor avenues was addressed. It was revealed that 40% of white students at Harvard University are legacy admissions. Wilkins highlighted ongoing efforts by organizations to raise awareness about this issue and eventually eliminate such practices.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court ruling to end Affirmative Action has sparked intense debates
I’m with a community radio station, KSKQ, in Ashland, Oregon. We play Hard Knock Radio Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is my job to schedule the syndicated shows. But today there are no new shows on Audio port since last week and everything I try to download from both the KPFA-hard know radio and your own website are html files, not .mp3 or other audio file format. Please help! Connie