Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action Will Have Devastating Effects
Floor Speech
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Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor this CBC Special Order hour along with my distinguished colleague, Representative Jackson.
For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC have an opportunity to speak directly to the American people on affirmative action, an issue of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, Congress, the constituents we represent, and all Americans.
I rise today in the wake of the consequential U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, which will have devastating ripple effects and exacerbate inequities for years to come.
I am a Congresswoman, but one of my other most important jobs is being a mother to two amazing college students. Supporting our children through their admissions process was a frank reminder of my own personal journey. I remembered the blanket of anxiety I experienced when pondering my options for higher education.
Even with excellent grades, would the pronunciation of my last name work against me?
Would someone see my volunteer work and judge keywords such as Urban League of Broward County or Black student union?
Would I be accepted? Would I be enough?
Last month, SCOTUS delivered a crushing and unnecessary setback to the promise of higher education and its ability to provide economic mobility to communities of color. I could not stop thinking about every high school senior who is now worried that they won't have a fair chance to go to college and who fears they won't have the same shot at the American Dream.
As Americans, we are better than this. We must live up to the ideals of this Nation. We cannot ignore the invisible advantages embedded in our society. The alternative to so-called neutral indicators of merit, like standardized test scores and extracurricular activities, are far from neutral. They are often influenced by unfair and devastating disadvantages that fall along racial lines.
Here is what I know for sure: the grit and grind ingrained in the heart of one who has to push twice as hard for many Black students and minorities who are trying to actually raise the bar for their families and for their communities and who don't have access to legacy networks or rich family members who are donors.
We must fight so that every student, regardless of their race, has an equal opportunity for higher education.
Let me be clear. We will not stand by silently as extremists attempt to turn back the clock on civil rights. We must live up to the ideals of equality in our country. We must have the congressional body and the Supreme Court think about this decision and how it will affect generations to come.
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Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Kamlager-Dove), my colleague.
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Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, you have heard from my distinguished colleagues about affirmative action and issues of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, our constituents, Congress, and all Americans tonight.
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