John,
The Supreme Court has taken us backwards by barring colleges from using race-conscious affirmative action in admissions.
This is an attack on equality for Black and brown people in America. Affirmative action is a way to make sure that we have an equitable shot at higher education to pursue advancement. And let's not forget that we ALL benefit from diversity in our schools.
As an educator, I've seen how our education system is plagued with inequities. I've seen how things like standardized testing in high schools and legacy admissions in colleges favor the already fortunate. Affirmative action is essential to racial and economic justice in education, and with this ruling, the Supreme Court has set our country backward.
We must commit to fighting back. That means canceling student debt — even if the Supreme Court makes it difficult. That means ensuring everyone has access to free public college. That means investing in our public schools. And that means passing my Fair College Admissions for Students Act, which would end legacy and donor-based admissions that favor the white and the wealthy.
Together, we can achieve equity in our education, from preschool to college to vocational school and beyond. Our democracy depends on it.
Peace and love,
Jamaal Bowman
