Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled in a 6-2 decision to uphold Michigan’s ban on the use of Affirmative Action in college admissions:

“Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision to uphold Michigan’s ban on the use of Affirmative Action in college admissions is a setback for the progress made in improving the level of diversity at our nation’s colleges. As a direct beneficiary of the opportunities afforded to minorities through Affirmative Action, I am disappointed in the Court for turning a blind eye to the unfortunate effects of centuries of racial discrimination once again. It is my hope that colleges across this country will not use this decision to allow discrimination more frequently on their campuses and in their admissions processes.

We must recognize that the systematic and intentional barriers faced by minorities in trying to attain an equal and competitive education are not a facet of antiquated history. The repercussions of that oppression still affect our society today. It is our responsibility to ensure that its impact on future generations is prevented by ensuring that our nation’s colleges are diverse. 

Yesterday’s decision does not reflect the need to ensure that the next generation of leaders reflects our nation’s rich diversity. This decision is especially disappointing because it permits discrimination to thrive on our college campuses and in many other facets of our communities. After only 5 decades of progress in providing legal recourse for centuries of broad and systematic oppression, now is not the time to turn back!”

###