Affirmative Action: Then and Now

By michael vivar

Affirmative Action in the United States was formally enacted in 1961 when John F Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925.

It decreed that government agencies and contractors hire and provide services without regard to race, creed, color or national origin.

Some states have added stipulations that also offer protections based on gender, age and disability status.

Almost concurrently, colleges and universities began adopting their own Affirmative Action policies to bolster enrollment and increase diversity.

Slowly, and with some hurdles, the policy's goals had its intended effects. In 1970, white students were 91% of college enrollees.

In 2021, Black students accounted for 12.6% of college students with Hispanic students at 21.4% and Asians making up 7.1%. This is more representative of the US population.

Many successful BIPOC Americans have attributed their available opportunities to Affirmative Action including Michelle Obama and Justice Sonya Sotomayor.

On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court handed down two decisions that dealt a major blow to the policy that forbade race-based consideration in college admission.

The overturning of Affirmative Action has had a noticeable negative effect on minority enrollment. This is expected to continue.

Some institutions, including Harvard, have adopted policies to circumvent the effects of Affirmative Action's end.

Their new applicant screening process performs a holistic review, considering economic status and the statistical details of a candidate's geographic location.

It's hoped these measures will be fruitful. Studies have shown a campus with students of diverse backgrounds leads to a better educational outcome for all.

Did Affirmative Action affect your college admissions experience?

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