Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) gutted affirmative action in higher education, restricting schools from addressing the systemic racial and gender inequalities that persist at colleges and universities across the country. Further, the ruling strips schools invested in building a more just, equitable, and representative student body from the power to do so, depleting the diverse contributions of its students and alumni networks.
Girl Up USA denounces SCOTUS’ ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. UNC, and its immediate result of overturning decades of settled law. We are angry about this decision, believing deeply that students of color, girls and women, LGBTQ+ students, first generation and immigrant students, and all youth historically underrepresented in higher education be not only welcomed and valued on their campus, but deliberately supported and integrated members of their school’s community.
”It is no secret that access to education is key to societal equity,” said Girl Up USA Director Priestley Johnson. “Education is the gateway to shaping decision-makers that should contribute diversity in perspective, thoughts, and lived experience. Despite this ruling, the truth is that your identity makes you an asset to the world, especially in learning environments. We should be working towards a society where diversity is embraced.”
An important element to know about yesterday’s ruling is that it does not prevent schools from considering applicants’ own discussion of how race, gender, and other identities have impacted their lives. What does this mean for prospective students?
That centering one’s own lived experiences in applications and personal essays remains a *vital* piece of the admissions process and should be harnessed to increase educational opportunities for students of color and those of other historically underrepresented backgrounds. At Girl Up USA, we will continue to support youth leaders in growing their storytelling skills to best support them into communicating their distinct points of view, experiences, and positionalities into seats at desks. We know that when everyone has access to the opportunities they need to reach their highest potential, each and every one of us benefits.
Learn more about Girl Up’s storytelling resources and trainings for Girl Up Club members now.
