NAACP Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Michigan Ban on Affirmative Action

by 04/28/2014

(Washington, DC) – The NAACP released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Michigan’s ban on affirmative action. In a recent 6-2 decision, the Supreme Court overturned a lower court and ruled that Michigan’s Proposal 2 — a 2006 ballot initiative that led to a state constitutional ban on race-conscious college admissions policies in Michigan – is indeed constitutional. The ruling specifically prohibits students from lobbying universities to consider race as one of many factors in admissions.

From Lorraine C. Miller, NAACP Interim President and CEO:

“The Supreme Court’s decision embraces discrimination and rejects diversity. It’s in our nation’s best interest to ensure talented students from all backgrounds get a close look and a fair shot at overcoming obstacles to educational opportunity. The NAACP is committed to fighting Michigan’s constitutional amendment at the ballot box and helping other states advance diversity in higher education.”

From Hilary Shelton, the Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and the Sr. VP of Policy & Advocacy:

“The NAACP is outraged with the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Michigan’s ban on the use of equal opportunity programs such as affirmative action as race conscious solutions must be available for racially discriminatory problems. As we approach the 60th anniversary of Brown v. the Board of Education, we are reminded that there remain challenges to securing educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race or ethnicity. The Supreme Court has impeded our country’s efforts to address the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in higher education and puts the access of future generations to high quality and well-rounded education in serious jeopardy.”

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities.  You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our five “Game Changer” issue areas here.

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