POLITICS + EDUCATION

Affirmative Action Ruling Presents An HBCU Uprising

African Americans face the most challenges in college enrollment, but there’s hope.

Quintessa L. Williams
Momentum
Published in
5 min readJul 3, 2023

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U.S. Map of HBCU Locations Pictured Above | Photo Courtesy of Afloat.com

Last Thursday, in a 6–3 vote, the Supreme Court officially ended affirmative action programs in college admissions; — declaring the policy as now unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled admission programs at Harvard and North Carolina that “relied in part on racial considerations violate the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection.” The decision will now force a significant change in how some colleges determine the selection of their students. Though the ruling primarily involved the affirmative action programs at Harvard and UNC specifically, the decision will impact all colleges and universities in the United States.

Historically, the policy of affirmative action was intended to “promote and provide opportunities to minority groups with equal access to the majority population.” But more importantly, the policy ensured minorities could participate and receive equitable opportunities to mitigate past discriminatory practices and address existing ones on the basis of race.

Chief Justice John Roberts said of the ruling: “The student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual — not on…

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Momentum
Momentum

Published in Momentum

Momentum is a blog that captures and reflects the moment we find ourselves in, one where rampant anti-Black racism is leading to violence, trauma, protest, reflection, sorrow, and more. Momentum doesn’t look away when the news cycle shifts.

Quintessa L. Williams
Quintessa L. Williams

Written by Quintessa L. Williams

Afra-American Journalist 📝📚| #WEOC | Blacktivist | EIC of TDQ | Editor for Cultured & AfroSapiophile. Bylines in The Root, MadameNoire, ZORA, & Momentum.

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