Scalia: Affirmative Action Harms Blacks By Allowing Them Into Schools That Are Too Advanced For Them
Justice Antonin Scalia made remarks in court today that raised a lot of eyebrows and revealed what some are calling a racist point of view.Â
During oral arguments Wednesday Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia suggested affirmative action was actually harmful to Blacks because it allows them into schools that are too advanced for them.
“There are those who contend that it does not benefit African-Americans to get them into the University of Texas where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less-advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well,” Scalia said while hearing Fisher v. University of Texas.
“One of the [amicus] briefs pointed out that most of the Black scientists in this country don’t come from schools like the University of Texas. They come from lesser schools where they do not feel that they’re being pushed ahead in classes that are too fast for them.”
The University of Texas has what is called a race-blind program that accepts 75 percent of incoming students without regard to race. Race is a factor considered for 25 percent of the other accepted students. Scalia suggested it would be perfectly OK if the University of Texas had fewer Black students.
“I’m just not impressed by the fact the University of Texas may have fewer [Blacks],” Mother Jones reports the 79-year old Reagan appointed Supreme Court Justice saying.
“Maybe it ought to have fewer. I don’t think it stands to reason that it’s a good thing for the University of Texas to admit as many Blacks as possible.”
The case was brought by a white woman who believes she was denied admission because a Black student was given preference over her.
Some responses via Twitter:
As a scientist, Scalia’s argument is objectively incorrect. As a principled human being, it’s intolerably loathsome. pic.twitter.com/EFyMKMt9X0
— John Borghi (@JohnBorghi) December 9, 2015
In related news, Scalia is on a “slower track” to acknowledging African Americans their humanity. https://t.co/lr5P0wGekB
— Benjamin Park (@BenjaminEPark) December 9, 2015
Dear Justice Scalia, Before affirmative action, we had a system that saw George W. Bush somehow matriculate to Yale. Is that a slow school?
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) December 9, 2015
Scalia evokes this particularly disgusting brand of racism that has deep roots in “compassionate” colonialism. Basically goes something+
— Copy McPasty, Writer (@KashannKilson) December 9, 2015
Is overt racism grounds for impeaching a SCOTUS justice? Asking for a Scalia.
— Laura Seay (@texasinafrica) December 9, 2015
@lizcgoodwin Scalia sounds like Trump, all the way down to the stammering.
— Philip Stinard (@pstinard) December 9, 2015
A vote for Republicans in 2016 is a vote for 2-3 MORE Scalia’s on the SCOTUS.
— Matt Murphy (@MattMurph24) December 9, 2015
#SCOTUS Justice Scalia says affirmative action sends black kids to schools that are too advanced for them. Is this:
— Yes, You’re Racist (@YesYoureRacist) December 9, 2015
If I listened to #Scalia I never would have applied to and graduated from 2 Ivy League schools. This level of ignorance is dangerous.
— Vanessa K. De Luca (@Vanessa_KDeLuca) December 9, 2015
@politicspodcast Scalia is a straight up RACIST & doesn’t even hide it. But sits on the nation’s highest court for life.
— Mike O’Hara (@mediumvillain) December 9, 2015
Jesus, Scalia really went there. Does he think Clarence Thomas was sent to a school too advanced for him?
— Gus ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@Gus_802) December 9, 2015
So, Scalia thinks that some sort of “separate and unequal” college system is called for? Pure jiggery-pokery
— Fred (@freeloosedirt) December 9, 2015
Â
Image by United States Mission Geneva via Flickr and a CC license
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.