No More Racial Discrimination in College Admissions
Universities shouldn’t have to use race to cover for the failures of K-12 schools. July 2, 2023 10:49 am ET Protesters for and against racial preferences demonstrate on Capitol Hill, June 29. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Regarding racial discrimination in college admissions (“A Landmark for Racial Equality,” Review & Outlook, June 30), there are three options: 1. Racial discrimination is good. 2. Racial discrimination is bad. 3. Racial discrimination is either good or bad, depending on which race is favored and which race is punished. The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen No. 2. I find it hard to disagree. Howard Chapman Fort Wayne, Ind. We are now directed by the Supreme Court not to use race in college admissions decisions, including for black Americans who historically lack the advantages
Protesters for and against racial preferences demonstrate on Capitol Hill, June 29.
Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Regarding racial discrimination in college admissions (“A Landmark for Racial Equality,” Review & Outlook, June 30), there are three options:
1. Racial discrimination is good.
2. Racial discrimination is bad.
3. Racial discrimination is either good or bad, depending on which race is favored and which race is punished.
The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen No. 2. I find it hard to disagree.
Howard Chapman
Fort Wayne, Ind.
We are now directed by the Supreme Court not to use race in college admissions decisions, including for black Americans who historically lack the advantages of well-funded schools in elite neighborhoods. Perhaps suits should also be brought in court to deny the use of legacy admissions, which enable underqualified children of graduates of elite colleges to ride the coattails of their parents.
Jeff Schoenwald
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
To all of the leaders criticizing the court: It is now up to you to fix the real problems in education. Fix the failed school systems. Force out bad administrators and educators. Demand the unions join you in this effort. Support intact families.
Prove by actions, instead of empty words, that the success of all children really is the goal. Do this and you will no longer have to use race to cover for your failures and inaction, as more of those students will qualify over time for acceptance on merit.
Bruce Stephens
Murrysville, Pa.
Justice Neil Gorsuch is correct when he writes that racial “classifications rest on incoherent stereotypes.” I have an adopted black granddaughter. Should admissions committees give her credit for her skin color and for having biological parents who are descendants of slaves? Or does she lose that credit because she is being raised by parents of English and German ancestry? Perhaps the committees should notice simply that my granddaughter is intelligent and talented.
Irene Eggers
Wheat Ridge, Colo.
As a Harvard alumnus and parent, I am overjoyed that my Asian granddaughter and my Hispanic granddaughter will now have the prospect of equal admissions treatment.
Keith Paul Bishop
Orange County, Calif.
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