APABA Denounces the United States Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action
Los Angeles, California - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) expresses profound disappointment and concern regarding the recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in the cases of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, which held that race-conscious admissions programs violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
The decision handed down by the Supreme Court undermines the decades-long pursuit of equal educational opportunities and threatens the progress made toward creating a level playing field for all students, including those in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. Higher education is a gateway to success and, for many AANHPIs in this country, a dream we fulfill on behalf of immigrant parents who did not have the same opportunities. This Supreme Court decision will undoubtedly create obstacles for educational institutions that have a responsibility to cultivate diverse and inclusive learning environments that reflect the rich tapestry of our country. It will also have a detrimental effect on the diversity of the legal profession, in which there continues to be an underrepresentation of minorities in leadership positions. There is ample evidence that diversity in the legal profession increases the quality of legal services and enhances client representation.
The AANHPI community is not a monolith and is composed of people from all walks of life and all ranges of income. This was emphasized in APABA’s Heritage Month event in 2022, an engaging panel discussion on race-conscious admissions, and our 2023 panel on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act (DACA) that discussed the struggles of AANHPI DREAMers – students who receive protections under DACA. The Supreme Court decision overlooks the systemic barriers faced by all historically disadvantaged communities, including the AANHPI community.
As an organization committed to advancing justice and equality, APABA stands firmly in its commitment to equal opportunity, racial justice, diversity, and inclusion in education. APABA will continue to advocate for fair and inclusive educational opportunities that empower AANHPI students and all underrepresented communities. We call on all colleges, universities, law firms, and other institutions and organizations to remain dedicated to actively supporting initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and society as a whole.
