The Daily

The Supreme Court Ends Affirmative Action

Jun 30, 2023

Adam Liptak, Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times, dives into the landmark ruling that invalidates affirmative action in college admissions. He explains how the decision impacts race-conscious policies and the complexities facing admissions officers. The conversation highlights dissenting views, particularly from Justice Sotomayor, on the necessity of recognizing historical injustices. Liptak also discusses the potential ramifications for racial diversity and representation in education and society, reflecting on public sentiment and future implications.

27:32

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Episode guests

Adam Liptak

Highlights

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Episode notes

Diversity in Institutions Without Affirmative Action: California Example

00:46

The History of Affirmative Action in Higher Education

01:55

Intro

3min

Shifting Grounds of Affirmative Action

10min

Exploring Dissent: The Case for Race-Conscious Admissions

2min

Ending Affirmative Action: Implications and Public Sentiment

8min

Exploring the Purpose and Future of Affirmative Action

2min

Reactions to the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Ruling

3min

On Thursday, the Supreme Court overturned decades of precedent by striking down affirmative action and declaring that the race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina were unlawful.

Adam Liptak, who covers the United States Supreme Court for The New York Times, explains the ruling, and what it means for American society.

Guest: Adam Liptak, who covers the court for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The Supreme Court’s vote to reject affirmative action programs was 6 to 3, with the liberal justices in dissent.
In 2016, in its last major case on affirmative action in higher education, the Supreme Court upheld an aspect of an idiosyncratic admissions program at the University of Texas at Austin.

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