SCOTUS Banned Affirmative Action — Except At Military Service Academies
Oct 9, 2023
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Gene Demby and Lori Lizarraga, co-hosts of NPR's Code Switch, dive into the Supreme Court's contentious ruling against race-based affirmative action in higher education. They explore the surprising exception for military service academies, where the majority opinion deemed diversity a 'battlefield issue.' The conversation includes personal insights from Mary Tobin, a Black West Point graduate, who shares her views on the ruling's impact. The discussion highlights racial disparities in military leadership and the historical context of these policies.
The Supreme Court allowed affirmative action in military service academies due to its importance for diversity in the officer ranks of the military as a battlefield issue.
Mary Tobin's experience as a black woman at West Point highlights the challenges faced by underrepresented students and the need for diversity among officers in the military.
Deep dives
Affirmative Action in US Military Service Academies
The Supreme Court overturned the use of affirmative action in higher education, except in US military service academies. The Code Switch podcast explores the impact of this exception through the story of Mary Tobin, a proud graduate of West Point. Mary, a black woman and combat veteran, faced challenges and stereotypes throughout her time at West Point. She highlights the personal significance of affirmative action and the disappointment caused by the Supreme Court's decision. The podcast examines the reasons for allowing affirmative action in military service academies and questions the inconsistency in the court's ruling. It explores the historical context of racial conflict and the lack of diversity in the military leading to the adoption of affirmative action as a battlefield imperative. The episode also discusses Mary's experiences as an officer and the difficulties of fitting into a predominantly white, cisgender, heterosexual, and Protestant military culture.
Diversity and Challenges in Military Academies
The military academies, such as West Point, have historically been closed-off to women, people of color, and marginalized groups. Mary Tobin's experience as a black woman in a predominantly white and male environment sheds light on the challenges faced by students from underrepresented backgrounds. Mary discusses her struggles with cultural fit and the pressure to conform to the dominant, white military culture. Despite achieving high performance and competence, she faced obstacles in her career progression due to concerns over unit fit. The podcast emphasizes the need for diversity among officers in the military and cites the lasting impact of historical racial conflict within the military. It raises questions about the distinction between harassment and prejudice and how to navigate these issues within the military structure.
The Importance of Affirmative Action for National Security
The podcast episode delves into why affirmative action remains in place for military service academies despite the Supreme Court's ban on race-conscious admissions policies in other institutions. It highlights arguments made during the court case, emphasizing the Department of Defense's stance on the critical national security imperative of diversity within the military. The effectiveness of diversity in maintaining strength, cohesion, and military readiness is underscored. The episode highlights the disparity between the racial makeup of the rank and file versus the officer corps and the need for greater representation at all levels. It questions why the court carved out an exception for the service academies and the potential implications for affirmative action in other domains, such as employment and corporate boards.
The Future of Affirmative Action and the Military
The podcast examines the potential implications of the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action in military academies and its broader impact on affirmative action policies across various sectors. It discusses the likely legal battles and challenges that lie ahead, as opponents of affirmative action now turn their focus to the service academies. There are concerns about the fate of diversity initiatives, minority scholarships, and employment practices. The episode concludes by highlighting the significance of the legal battle over affirmative action in military academies as a key indicator of the future of affirmative action in the United States.
This summer, the Supreme Court overturned the legality of race-based affirmative action at higher education institutions everywhere, with one glaring exception: military service academies. Members of the conservative-leaning court like Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice John Roberts have long been staunch opponents of affirmative action initiatives, but in the case of service academies, the majority opinion cited that diversity in the officer ranks of the military was a "battlefield issue."
Today, we bring you an episode from our colleagues at Code Switch. Co-hosts Gene Demby and Lori Lizarraga take us back to the Vietnam War to explain where that argument came from. And we'll hear from Mary Tobin, a Black woman, combat veteran, and West Point graduate, about why the Court's decision felt like such a blow to her. This episode was produced with help from Courtney Stein and engineering support from James Willetts.
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