BLACK YOUTH VOTE! STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION
A Great Day for Diversity!

June 23, 2003

Black Youth Vote!, the youth component of National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), has been an active proponent of Affirmative Action. In addition to hosting a number of panels on Affirmative Action, they endorsed and were on the program of the National Civil Rights March in Washington, DC.

Following is Black Youth Vote’s! statement on today’s Supreme Court decision:

“It’s a great day for diversity. We applaud the decision handed down by the Supreme Court upholding the University of Michigan’s Law school policy using race as a factor in their admissions practices. This landmark ruling confirms that diversity is a compelling state interest therefore, race can be a consideration in the admissions policy.”

“We are confident that the undergraduate school will find an appropriate way to include race as a factor in making admissions decisions. The African American community is not wedded to any particular method of achieving the goal of diversity, but to the principle that a diverse student body better prepares students for citizenship and helps reduce unconscious prejudice by breaking the cycle of segregation.”

“This decision allows institutions of higher education to employ methods to ensure that those who have been historically disenfranchised and discriminated against have equal access and opportunity to attend institutions of higher education. The concept of diversity can be transferred beyond the educational system to other areas of life including diversity in employment practices. What a great day for diversity!”