The Constitution, properly interpreted, doesn’t accept excuses for racial discrimination. If the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment means what it says, then government – including public schools and universities – must treat people as individuals, not classify them as faceless members of racial categories.
When students apply to public universities or colleges, should they be admitted – or rejected – based on their race? Should they be taught that it isn’t their drive and determination that count, it’s their skin color?
The United States Supreme Court has been asked to hear a high-profile lawsuit that asks these questions. Many analysts expect that the justices will accept the case – Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin – and issue a ruling that could affect public universities nationwide.
The petitioner is Abigail Fisher, from Sugar Land, who was denied acceptance to UT-Austin. She sued because she was not evaluated on an equal basis with applicants from other racial backgrounds.
The university categorizes applicants by their race, with favoritism for African-Americans and Hispanics.
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