The Attacks on Education Equality Continue

After taking the time to process the decisions, we at Future Leaders of America (FLA) are appalled and angry at the recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action and student loan forgiveness. Both rulings send a disheartening message, suggesting that higher education is meant only for those with privilege.

As a pillar of society, education serves not only in preparing tomorrow’s leaders but as an equalizer with the American ideal for students from all races and ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to have the opportunity to receive high-quality education and a pathway out of poverty. Unfortunately, this ideal has yet to become a reality.

After the passage of California’s ban on affirmative action through Proposition 209 in 1996, racial diversity in public universities plummeted. For example, the number of Black and Latino first-year students plunged nearly by half at UCLA and UC Berkeley during the first admissions year after the elimination of affirmative action. Decades and more than a half-billion dollars later, California’s UC enrollment is still not reflective of the state’s racial and ethnic makeup.

As the attacks on education equity continue, not enough is being done to ensure the success of students of color, including here on the Central Coast. For too long, there has been an underinvestment in education, evident in the lack of early childhood education, low A-G completion rates, and abysmal community college transfer rates in our community. To create thriving communities, our youth need rigorous high-quality education, starting with pre-K.

Under last week’s SCOTUS rulings, opportunities have been stripped from our local students of color nationally and in private institutions in California. In a fiery dissent on the affirmative action case, Justice Sotomayor stated: “that a person’s skin color may play a role in assessing individualized suspension, but it cannot play a role in assessing that person’s individualized contributions to a diverse learning environment.” By disregarding the potential for diverse perspectives and experiences that enrich educational settings, the rulings undermine the progress toward creating inclusive spaces where all students  can learn, thrive, and contribute meaningfully. Furthermore, these decisions exacerbate barriers for students of color, denying them the chance to overcome systemic inequalities and hindering their ability to succeed, earn wealth, and make a lasting impact on society.

Now is the time to use every tool at our disposal to promote education equity and increase opportunities for our local youth of color. At FLA, we will continue to push our local school boards, community colleges, and local governments to invest in our future leaders and their academic success. It’s time we make high-quality education a reality for all students and not just the elite.

Gloria S. Soto is executive director of Future Leaders of America.