The Threat to Equity: How it Affects You and Why You Should Care

Growing up as a Black American/Jamaican teenager in New York City, I was raised by a single mother with four siblings in a two-bedroom apartment on Amsterdam Ave in Harlem. Despite our financial struggles, I excelled academically, becoming a member of the National Honour Society of America whilst at Martin Luther King Jr. High due to my exceptional grades and dedication to pulling myself up by "my own bootstraps.” Upon graduation, I received a scholarship from the Mayor of New York, David Dinkins. Affirmative Action provided me with the opportunity to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) in Geneva, New York, a prestigious institution with a tuition fee of $24,000 per year. Clearly as a single parent, my mother could never afford this exorbitant amount, as a school Health Aid. Hobart College was about eight hours from Manhattan by bus, and I can recall packing my backpack and black duffle bag with my most treasured belongings--waiting in long lines to board the bus at Penn Station. The long, lazy journey on the Greyhound bus at 5AM in the morning, was to become my routine for the next four years. Whilst at Hobart, my academic performance and contributions to the college community earned me additional scholarships, allowing me to thrive despite being one of the few Black students among predominantly wealthy white peers. My 4.0 GPA in my major is a testament to my hard work and intellect, despite of my racial background and despite of the racial stereotypes perpetuated about my kind by the Republican far right.

Ironically, I was one of a few high performing students selected by the college President, Richard Hersh, to dine with now current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu--not that I’m celebrating this. I just wanted to make the point that Affirmative Action gave a young inner city teen a chance to prove himself, despite the odds being stacked against him. It was a small repayment for the enourmous sacrifices: the blood, sweat and tears my ancestors gave to make America great! No pun intended.

Why You Should Care

The recent Supreme Court ruling ending Affirmative Action in Higher Education is the catalyst for the eradication of EDI programs in the US. It threatens to reverse the progress made towards a more just and equitable society. It affects the quality of education, the diversity of thought in the workplace, and the overall social fabric of our nation. As quite as its kept, EDI is a form of checks and balance that ensures that there is fair representation of all people from all walks of life in have the same access to education and economic opportunities. Ignoring the importance of EDI not only harms those who have been historically marginalized but also impoverishes our collective potential for innovation, empathy, and social cohesion.

We must call out the states and universities making these regressive decisions. We must hold corporate America accountable to their commitments to diversity and inclusion. And we must recognize that the fight for equity is a fight for the future of our society. Supporting EDI initiatives is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for the health, prosperity, and unity of our nation.

The current assault on affirmative action and EDI programs by far-right Republicans is a threat to the progress we have made in addressing historical injustices. As educational institutions and corporate entities retreat from their commitments to diversity, it is imperative that we understand the broader implications of these actions. This is not just a fight for minority rights; it is a fight for the very soul of our society. By supporting EDI initiatives, we take a stand for justice, equity, and a brighter future for all.

The Capitulation of Colleges and Universities

The recent Supreme Court decision prohibiting universities from considering race in admissions has been misinterpreted and misused by many institutions as a mandate to dismantle all race-conscious programs, including those aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion. This ruling has emboldened far-right Republicans to push for the eradication of affirmative action and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, posing a significant threat to the progress made in creating a more equitable society.

The Supreme Court did not prohibit the use of race in scholarships or mandate the termination of EDI programs on college campuses. The original purpose of race-based admissions was to address and correct historical and systemic inequities. By choosing to eliminate EDI programs, universities are making decisions based on their own biases rather than legal requirements.

These actions undermine decades of efforts to create more inclusive educational environments and fail to acknowledge the persistent disparities that necessitated these measures in the first place.

The Attack on the Fearless Fund

The attack on EDI initiatives extends beyond the educational sector. The Fearless Fund, established by Black women to support other Black women entrepreneurs, has become a target in this ideological battle. Black women historically receive only 0.3% of funding from traditional sources, a glaring disparity that the Fearless Fund aims to address. However, Ed Blum's lawsuit against the Fearless Fund represents a direct attack on efforts to promote equity and support marginalised communities.

Even corporate America is scared of Ed Blum and his cronies. Rather than challenge Blum’s shortsightedness and clear agenda to prevent the growth of Black wealth in America, they capitulate under the growing anti-equality assault. The ripple effects of this anti-EDI sentiment will set African Americans back decades if we do not challenge these institutions to adhere to their commitment of promoting EDI. Financial institutions, banks, and other corporations, once vocal in their support for diversity initiatives, are now retreating from their commitments. Fearful of legal repercussions and public backlash, these companies are undermining the very principles of equity they once championed. According to a [2023 McKinsey & Company report](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/race-in-the-workplace-the-black-experience-in-the-us-private-sector), Black employees make up only 12% of the private-sector workforce, yet they face significant barriers to advancement and representation in leadership roles. This retreat from EDI commitments threatens to exacerbate these disparities.

The Ethical and Practical Imperative of EDI

Cracking down on EDI is not only unethical and inhumane, but it is also shortsighted. It ignores the historical inequities that have been pervasive for decades and continues to perpetuate a cycle of exclusion and discrimination. The attack on EDI will impact us all, not just the so-called minorities. It creates a dangerous slippery slope that deepens the division between a privileged white society that has historically benefited from inequality and marginalised communities. To support the banishment of EDI from public spaces in American society is an insult to three hundred and fifty years of human rights abuse that disenfranchised a third of the US population.

By sharing my story, I hope to highlight the profound impact that affirmative action and EDI programs have on individuals like me. My journey from Harlem to Hobart and William Smith Colleges would not have been possible without these initiatives. We must continue to fight for equity, ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of their background.