The Supreme Court decisively struck down affirmative action in college admissions, marking a victory for fairness and meritocracy. But as expected, the left is refusing to let go of this divisive policy, clamoring for its reinstatement under the guise of equity and justice. Let’s be clear: bringing back affirmative action would not be progress; it would be a massive step backward.
Affirmative action was always a policy riddled with contradictions. It claimed to combat discrimination by institutionalizing discrimination. Universities like Harvard were revealed to have systematically penalized Asian-American applicants, requiring them to meet higher standards than their peers. That’s not equity—it’s prejudice dressed up in progressive language. The Supreme Court rightly recognized this, affirming that every student should be judged as an individual, not as a representative of their race.
Yet, the left insists on clinging to identity politics. Rather than embracing this victory for equality, they’re working overtime to find ways to repackage affirmative action under new names like “holistic admissions” or “diversity initiatives.” These are nothing more than rebranded efforts to sidestep the Court’s ruling and reintroduce racial preferences through the back door.
Proponents argue that affirmative action is necessary to achieve diversity. But diversity is not and should never be defined solely by race. True diversity encompasses a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and ideas. A wealthy student of color from an elite prep school doesn’t bring the same diversity as a first-generation college student from a rural town, regardless of their race. The left’s obsession with racial quotas not only diminishes these distinctions but also fosters resentment and division.
Even Justice Clarence Thomas, a longtime critic of affirmative action, has pointed out its damaging effects: “Racial preferences do not eliminate stereotypes… Rather, they engender the same stereotypes that have plagued certain groups for years.” He’s right. Affirmative action doesn’t level the playing field—it reinforces the very divisions it claims to erase.
Reinstating affirmative action would also hurt the very students it aims to help. Studies have shown that placing students in academic environments where they are underprepared leads to higher dropout rates and academic struggles. The left’s push for “representation” often ignores these real-world consequences.
Conservatives have long stood for meritocracy—a system where hard work, determination, and talent are rewarded, regardless of race or background. The Supreme Court’s decision upheld that principle. If the left truly cares about equality, they should focus on improving education at the K-12 level, addressing economic disparities, and fostering opportunities for all students to succeed based on merit, not skin color.
The push to reinstate affirmative action is not about fairness or justice—it’s about maintaining a system of racial preferences that divides rather than unites. America should move forward, not backward, by championing individual achievement and creating opportunities for everyone, regardless of race. It’s time for the left to stop playing identity politics and start supporting real solutions that benefit all Americans.
