The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action in the college admissions process has caused a stir in the political process. While Republicans praised the decision, Democrats pushed back, calling it a step in the wrong direction. Calling affirmative action “unconstitutional,” Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) welcomed the decision.
Not only did Republicans and Democrats wage a war of words after the announcement, but Supreme Court Justices also traded comments after the Supreme Court voted to end the use of race as a factor in college admissions.
Justice Dr. Ketanji Brown, who dissented against the vote, commented that the decision was a step backwards.
“With let-them-eat-cake obliviousness, today, the majority pulls the ripcord and announces ‘colorblindness for all’ by legal fiat,” Dr. Brown lamented, adding that “deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.”
In response, Justice Clarence Thomas criticized Dr. Brown’s “race-infused world view.”
Rep. Crenshaw was one of many Republicans that took to social media to welcome the decision, calling affirmative action “unconstitutional” and quoting Justice Thomas on the subject.
Affirmative action = unconstitutional.
Justice Clarence Thomas got it right:
“While I am painfully aware of the social and economic ravages which have befallen my race and all who suffer discrimination, I hold out enduring hope that this country will live up to its principles…
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) June 29, 2023
Crenshaw argued that “Justice Clarence Thomas got it right” and then shared words from the Supreme Court Justice.
“While I am painfully aware of the social and economic ravages which have befallen my race and all who suffer discrimination, I hold out enduring hope that this country will live up to its principles so clearly enunciated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States: that all men are created equal, are equal citizens, and must be treated equally before the law.”
However, lawmakers like Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) disagree with Justice Thomas.
It’s time to end legacy admissions. Each year thousands of students are admitted to colleges around the nation only because their parents went there.
Legacy admissions are back-door discriminatory policies that overwhelmingly advantage wealthy, white students over everyone else. https://t.co/Kzsq2mMANS
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) June 29, 2023
In response to the decision, Rep. Castro has called for the Supreme Court to do away with "legacy admissions," calling them "backdoor discriminatory actions" that should cease in the college admissions process.
