The Future of Affirmative Action

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently weighing two cases involving Harvard University and the University of North Carolina that could end affirmative action in higher education. The National Constitution Center hosted a live program on May 4, 2023, featuring a conversation between constitutional law experts William B. Allen of Michigan State University and Hasan Kwame Jeffries of The Ohio State University. They discuss the history of affirmative action, the current cases before the Court, how the Court might rule in them, and how the outcome of the two cases could affect the future of affirmative action programs across the country. Host Jeffrey Rosen moderates. 

Resources:

• Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (Oral Argument Transcript; audio hosted by C-SPAN)
• Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina (Oral Argument Transcript; audio hosted by C-SPAN)
• William B. Allen, “End of Affirmative Action 2023”  
• Interview with Hasan Kwame Jeffries, “Why Conservatives want the Supreme Court to take up Affirmative Action Case,” Yahoo!News  
• National Constitution Center, “Affirmative Action and the 14th Amendment – Part 1,” We the People podcast  
• National Constitution Center, “Affirmative Action and the 14th Amendment – Part 2,” We the People podcast  
• Fisher v. University of Texas (2013)  
• Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)  
• Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)  
• Griggs v. Duke Power Company (1971)
• Slaughter-House Cases (1873)
• Shelby County v. Holder (2013)

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You can find transcripts for each episode on the podcast pages in our Media Library.