affirmative action

The article discusses the SFFA vs. Harvard case and its implications for college admissions practices. The lawsuit, involving Students for Fair Admissions and Harvard University, raises questions about affirmative action and racial considerations in admissions.

The article explores the evolving meaning of the word 'equal,' highlighting how a Japanese translation of the Declaration of Independence rendered 'all men are created equal' as 'heaven created all persons in the same rut.' It discusses Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary definitions of 'equal,' which include conflicting interpretations that underpin modern debates between liberals/progressives (focusing on proportional fairness) and conservatives (emphasizing legal sameness). Historical contexts like Roman law, biblical creationism, and Athenian democracy are cited to show how equality claims have coexisted with social hierarchies.

The article discusses Michigan high school students' uncertainty about their future, with one in three not enrolling in college or training programs. It highlights systemic barriers like FAFSA deadlines and the end of affirmative action, proposing solutions like hiring more counselors and expanding dual-enrollment programs.

Researcher James Murphy is investigating a surge in students declining to report their race on college applications in the post–affirmative action era. The trend has emerged two admissions cycles after the policy change.