Many Asian American groups and leaders are speaking out against the Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action Thursday.
Some experts and activists argued that the decision is an example of Asian Americans being used as a “wedge” to erode civil rights.
They point out that while the two cases, led by conservative activist Edward Blum — who is white — argued that Harvard and the University of North Carolina’s policies discriminated against Asian Americans, no Asian American students came forward to testify to experiencing discrimination.
“The white supremacist agendas behind these lawsuits use the small number of Asian Americans against affirmative action as pawns in their efforts — weaponizing the model minority myth to divide our communities,” The Georgia-based nonprofit Asian American Advocacy Fund said in a press release. “Affirmative action policies have played an important role in securing Asian American access to higher education.”
Polling shows that a higher share of Asian Americans support affirmative action, with 53% who have heard of the policy saying it’s “a good thing.” Another 19% say it’s a negative thing. A separate 2022 survey from the nonprofit group APIAVote, which polled registered Asian American voters, showed 69% favored affirmative action programs “designed to help Black people, women, and other minorities get better access to higher education.”
Some, however, expressed support for the ruling, including Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif.
“I am living my American Dream because, in this country, your actions determine your success — not your race and ethnicity,” she wrote on Twitter.
But Sally Chen, education equity program manager at the nonprofit group Chinese for Affirmative Action, called the characterization of the impact of race-conscious admissions on Asian Americans throughout the case “concerning.”
“Addressing racial inequity is not de facto racism. Addressing segregation and…
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