Diversity

Response to Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action

ASBMB committees weigh in on the 6-3 decision against race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina
Lea Vacca Michel
June 30, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Thursday on affirmative action raises significant concerns among advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion, and against discrimination, including the members of American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s Maximizing Access Committee, Public Affairs Advisory Committee and Education and Professional Development Committee.

In a 6–3 decision, the high court found that the use of race as a factor in undergraduate admissions by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina violates the Equal Protection Clause of 14th Amendment. The ruling overturns legal precedent that allowed institutions of higher education to consider race as one of the many factors in a holistic admissions process.

Affirmative action has been a vital tool used to rectify the historic and persisting system of discrimination that promotes the exclusion of U.S citizens, thereby creating the circumstances for their identification as “historically-excluded, underrepresented populations.” In other words, affirmative action was designed to include the citizenry who had been systemically excluded, thereby opening the door of opportunity so that their capabilities and excellence would be acknowledged and allowing fair competition in education and in employment.

Affirmative action is important not only for historically marginalized individuals but also for all in the educational space. Diversity makes us stronger — as individuals, as scientists and as a community.

This court decision is an enormous step backward, and the denial of opportunities is reminiscent of a bygone era.

Many scholars, students, and educators — especially those from marginalized backgrounds and identities — may feel that the overturning of such a long-standing policy, at a time when it remains sorely needed, means our nation and those in power no longer acknowledge their existence and experiences.

The ASBMB and others in the biochemistry and molecular biology community acknowledge systemic inequities in STEM and will continue to work toward their elimination. We strongly support our colleagues and young scholars who have thrived and contributed greatly to the scientific enterprise, despite the barriers and inequities that they have faced.

The ASBMB will continue to advocate for and fight for those whose voices are not being heard right now. Protecting and increasing diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility is at the core of the society.

Finally, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure that all ASBMB events, initiatives, awards and programs will strive to enhance equity and inclusion. Despite setbacks such as this court ruling, we will not stop fighting for justice and inclusion. We echo Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s message of dissent: “(D)eeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.”

This response was written on behalf of and in collaboration with members of the ASBMB Maximizing Access Committee, Public Affairs Advisory Committee and Education and Professional Development Committee.

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition monthly and the digital edition weekly.

Learn more
Lea Vacca Michel

Lea Michel is an associate professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a chair of the ASBMB Minority Affairs Committee.

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in Opinions

Opinions highlights or most popular articles

Getting your name out there
President's Message

Getting your name out there

Oct. 2, 2023

“The Discover BMB organizers know how important career-related programming and networking opportunities are .. and our 2024 meeting in March in San Antonio is being designed to meet this demand.”

Who did it?
Outreach

Who did it?

Sept. 28, 2023

An ASBMB outreach grant funds a high school field trip that includes a DNA crime scene investigation.

An open letter to the ASBMB executive director search committee
Open Letters

An open letter to the ASBMB executive director search committee

Sept. 19, 2023

"As you sift through the applications ... look for signs of altruism, vision and an investment mentality rather than the extent of administrative experience and managerial acumen," Pete Kennelly writes.

Scientific publishing, then and now
Essay

Scientific publishing, then and now

Sept. 8, 2023

Fifty years ago, “editors provided constructive feedback that improved our manuscripts,” Sudhansu K. Dey writes. That happens less nowadays.

On our wall: A bird’s eye view of metabolism
Essay

On our wall: A bird’s eye view of metabolism

Sept. 7, 2023

To understand the complex relationships of the metabolic cycles and pathways, it helps to have the big picture, so a professor and students in Pakistan created one.

Wellness and trauma
Editor's Note

Wellness and trauma

Aug. 31, 2023

Telling stories helps us heal. Here’s my trauma story. Now I want to read yours.