The Peninsula Solidarity Cohort denounces the Supreme Court’s decision Thursday in two important rulings that seek to dismantle affirmative action. As clergy and faith leaders in San Mateo County, we see and recognize the ongoing reality of racial segregation in every aspect of our common life, the ongoing effects of white supremacy. We see it in higher education, the specific focus of Thursday’s rulings and we also see it even in our own Peninsula communities, particularly in housing and access to medical care. We appreciate the prophetic witness of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissent, “Deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.”
And we stand with the NAACP in its statement today: “Race plays an undeniable role in shaping the identities of and quality of life for Black Americans. In a society still scarred by the wounds of racial disparities, the Supreme Court has displayed a willful ignorance of our reality.”
As faith leaders and organizers, we pledge to address the injustice of this ruling in our congregations, to educate ourselves and our communities about the ongoing effects of racism and the need for affirmative action as well as for reparations and reconciliation. We believe change is possible in ourselves, in each other, and in institutions and systems of oppression. We pledge to the Black communities in particular, to all BIPOC communities and all those affected by this step backward to do all that we can to move forward together. We all benefit from a racially integrated society, and we recognize the need for interventions like affirmative action to move us forward. To quote a South African freedom song from the anti-apartheid movement, “We shall not give up the fight, we have only started.” This ruling is our call to action.
AOC, scion of the progressive left, made some remarks about the "Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard Colleges" case. She said that the Supreme Court should have "abolished legacy admissions" which she referred to as "affirmative action for the privileged." Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) noted that Harvard's polices are racist because "70% of Harvard’s legacy applicants are white..." However, the case brought before the Supreme Court did not challenge legacy admissions, and about 70% of the US population identify as white.
I'm wondering... who sends more college-age offspring to elite colleges and universities... Democrats or Republicans?
Ray - we would need to look at how many legacy students are admitted versus the so-called underrepresented. Let's see, the Obamas and the Bushes were admitted either based on race or legacy. It would be interesting to find out what the proportion of such admissions is. I'll bet you that the legacy admissions are far below the affirmative action numbers. When I was at Berkeley there seem to be a disproportionate number of Saudi princes in my engineering classes. They were intelligent but not very motivated and had frequent arguments with the faculty. Most did not graduate and did not need to as just attending was sufficient according to one of my classmates.
So, your answer to "... who sends more college-age offspring to elite colleges and universities... Democrats or Republicans?" is Trump not getting into an elite school? He did attend school at Penn... an Ivy League School. All four of Al Gore's children attended Harvard. Hmmm... I wondered how that happened?
That's not much to brag about for Trump. Remember what one of his former professors said: "Trump was the dumbest student I have ever had!" He even had someone else to take his SAT!
This is not about The Donald's college experience or Joe's tall tales about his time in college. If we lop off the noise from the left and right fringes, we can have a good convo about affirmative action. So, in your view,... does the absence of affirmative action polices discriminate or does the presence of affirmative action admissions discriminate? What do you think?
Ray: I used to be all for affirmative action, but don’t know enough about the situation today to have a valid opinion. I just tossed out the story about Trump for fun!
Jorg, let’s not forget about your idols on the left, Michelle Obama and Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren, and how they were admitted to elite colleges. Speaking of admitted, how long did Warren take advantage of her so-called Indian-ness before she admitted she has less Indian ancestry than perhaps you and me? Meanwhile, how about those other decisions by the Supreme Court on the (obvious to many) student loan bailout program and the Christian web designer? Will there be more hysterical screeching? Looking forward to those LTE’s…
Jorg, thanks very much for the six exclamation points but I’d appreciate it more if you took the time to wrap your head around understanding the Second Amendment and the Electoral College. I’m sure you know the definition of a woman, unlike one of the Supreme Court Justices, so I won’t go there. Happy International Cherry Pit Spitting Day! Speaking of which, it’s too bad we don’t see those contests in the Bay Area. I think we’d make a good team. I could mention our great President Trump to get you spitting mad and who knows, you may capture the longest distance and maybe a world record… Cherries are still in season, aren’t they? Perhaps you could get a sidekick to harangue you with different topics to see what may be more effective - Second Amendment, EC, “assault” weapons, abortion, discrimination, boys identifying as girls, taxation without representation, gravity, etc. I know it’s not the same as having your old friend, TY, egging you on but it would provide more data to find your sorest spot…
Legacy admissions was not an issue before this court in the case. Odd that people like AOC think the Supreme Court "makes laws" on whatever they want instead of deciding the case before them. Legacies are not a protected class so such a case would likely not go far.
But here are two ideas for those that are concerned: 1) Congress can introduce a bill that would outlaw legacy admissions for colleges receiving federal funding. 2) Wealthy progressive donors who are angry about legacies can withhold donations to elite colleges until this practice is ended. I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
Good points, MichKosk. I wonder how many folks in Congress (on both sides of the aisle), past and present, used legacy admissions for their friends and family. Perhaps why a bill outlawing legacy admissions may never see the light of day?
The Cohort is apparently in solidarity with excluding many others, often more qualified, from higher education and possibly employment. What has affirmative action accomplished over the last decades? The Supreme Court addressed that in great detail and it is discriminatory and inconsistent with many provisions of the US Constitution. To drag in a slogan from South Africa, of all places, exposes these cohort members of what they really are. This decision pulls the rug from under their specious arguments.
This Peninsula Solidarity Cohort sounds like false advertising. They are attempting to rationalize racism/discrimination to address racism/discrimination. Not much solidarity there… What’s next, a Peace Cohort that promotes war to address war, promotes criminal activity to address criminal activity, promotes murder to address murder? As faith leaders and organizers, you should educate yourselves on why it’s wrong to promote racism to address racism, especially since this attitude will only promote more aggrieved races.
As for Justice Jackson’s dissent, and for a contrast, you may want to review Justice Clarence Thomas’s concurrence of the Supreme Court decision. You can read Justice Thomas’s rebuttal to the dissent and discrimination pushed by Justice Jackson (starts on page 97 of the SC decision, if any are interested). Instead of talking the talk via this “call to action” perhaps you could tell us what you’re all doing to walk the walk? Graciously provide examples on how you’re practicing discrimination to address discrimination, or maybe, and we can hope, you’re not practicing discrimination to reduce racial segregation. Promoting racism to address racism isn’t a successful formula.
When I was young my mother taught me to listen to people and hear what they have to say - and check what their morals and values are before making any kind of judgments. And even then - we can never judge - just make our own opinions and decide who we do and dont agree with - and who we do and dont want to associate with. Nobody should be forced think or say anything they dont want to - and most importantly should never be forced to associate with people they do not want to. I feel like the word "Freedom" is no longer universally agreed upon. When Freedom becomes subjective you have problematic country. This is what we have.
Harvard’s affirmative action went out searching for promising students that otherwise would never have made it. That’s how they found MSNBC’s Joe Reid, in a small, hidden, black community, where she graduated from an unknown HS. She excelled grade wise at Harvard, but was made very uncomfortable by white students who kept pointing at her as someone who didn’t belong there, - in their selective, distinguished, white society! Today, she is a highly respected TV-host!
Jorg, are you talking about the Joy Reid who said she has never heard of a person who isn’t an economist or works on CNBC use the term "inflation"? I guess many DJ contributors, even you, are economists or work for CNBC. Are you talking about the Joy Reid who made excuses for a would-be stabber who was shot by police before harming innocent people? I guess Ms. Reid wasn’t too worried about the defenseless people who thought they were going to be killed by the stabber. BTW, you may want to look up the definition of highly respected, because Ms. Reid is definitely more of a highly ridiculed or highly race-baiting TV host than respected. Happy National Chocolate Wafer Day!
Jorg...you feel very comfortable saying the word "black" - i doubt you have any real friends from so-called "black" countries communities or cultures. To be honest the way you speak is mad offensive.
So, Littlefoot, what on flat Earth do you know about my feelings and respect for Black people? Besides the direct experiences I have had with outright racism, described in my book “DE&B”, I have done projects in graduate business school with blacks and taught a whole class of pitch-black guys from Ghana welding technology and associated safety, while I can thank a black American soldier for the existence of a major part of my own family, also described in my book. I am just as comfortable referring to Black people as I am referring to Whites. What’s the difference? Aren’t we all equal people, with just different skin color? But of course, I don’t expect a humble apology from you.
All im saying Jorg - is stop referring to people by color. Its not the way to go. I'll drop a quick metaphor....I have experienced crazy domestic violence....does that mean I understand a womans experience with it? When people over explain - it usually means they are wrong. And if you dont come from a military family please dont solicit that energy. My family has died for the right for you to say whatever you want to say to me - please show some respect. (My grandfather earned a Bronze Star in the Battle of the Bulge)
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(27) comments
Any discussion of legacy students or applicants from big donors? Just wondering.
athletes?
Hello, Al
AOC, scion of the progressive left, made some remarks about the "Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard Colleges" case. She said that the Supreme Court should have "abolished legacy admissions" which she referred to as "affirmative action for the privileged." Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) noted that Harvard's polices are racist because "70% of Harvard’s legacy applicants are white..." However, the case brought before the Supreme Court did not challenge legacy admissions, and about 70% of the US population identify as white.
I'm wondering... who sends more college-age offspring to elite colleges and universities... Democrats or Republicans?
Ray - we would need to look at how many legacy students are admitted versus the so-called underrepresented. Let's see, the Obamas and the Bushes were admitted either based on race or legacy. It would be interesting to find out what the proportion of such admissions is. I'll bet you that the legacy admissions are far below the affirmative action numbers. When I was at Berkeley there seem to be a disproportionate number of Saudi princes in my engineering classes. They were intelligent but not very motivated and had frequent arguments with the faculty. Most did not graduate and did not need to as just attending was sufficient according to one of my classmates.
Not even Donald J. Trump, with Dad and his wallet in tow, was able to get into USC’s film school! Too poor grades, and too weak background? Ha!
Hi, Jorg
So, your answer to "... who sends more college-age offspring to elite colleges and universities... Democrats or Republicans?" is Trump not getting into an elite school? He did attend school at Penn... an Ivy League School. All four of Al Gore's children attended Harvard. Hmmm... I wondered how that happened?
That's not much to brag about for Trump. Remember what one of his former professors said: "Trump was the dumbest student I have ever had!" He even had someone else to take his SAT!
Hello again, Jorg
This is not about The Donald's college experience or Joe's tall tales about his time in college. If we lop off the noise from the left and right fringes, we can have a good convo about affirmative action. So, in your view,... does the absence of affirmative action polices discriminate or does the presence of affirmative action admissions discriminate? What do you think?
Ray: I used to be all for affirmative action, but don’t know enough about the situation today to have a valid opinion. I just tossed out the story about Trump for fun!
Fair enough, Jorg. Thanks... enjoy the weekend.
Jorg, let’s not forget about your idols on the left, Michelle Obama and Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren, and how they were admitted to elite colleges. Speaking of admitted, how long did Warren take advantage of her so-called Indian-ness before she admitted she has less Indian ancestry than perhaps you and me? Meanwhile, how about those other decisions by the Supreme Court on the (obvious to many) student loan bailout program and the Christian web designer? Will there be more hysterical screeching? Looking forward to those LTE’s…
TY: WOW! That’s amazing! I have nothing to offer against such heavy, convincing arguments! That should settle the issue once and for all!!!
Jorg, thanks very much for the six exclamation points but I’d appreciate it more if you took the time to wrap your head around understanding the Second Amendment and the Electoral College. I’m sure you know the definition of a woman, unlike one of the Supreme Court Justices, so I won’t go there. Happy International Cherry Pit Spitting Day! Speaking of which, it’s too bad we don’t see those contests in the Bay Area. I think we’d make a good team. I could mention our great President Trump to get you spitting mad and who knows, you may capture the longest distance and maybe a world record… Cherries are still in season, aren’t they? Perhaps you could get a sidekick to harangue you with different topics to see what may be more effective - Second Amendment, EC, “assault” weapons, abortion, discrimination, boys identifying as girls, taxation without representation, gravity, etc. I know it’s not the same as having your old friend, TY, egging you on but it would provide more data to find your sorest spot…
Legacy admissions was not an issue before this court in the case. Odd that people like AOC think the Supreme Court "makes laws" on whatever they want instead of deciding the case before them. Legacies are not a protected class so such a case would likely not go far.
But here are two ideas for those that are concerned: 1) Congress can introduce a bill that would outlaw legacy admissions for colleges receiving federal funding. 2) Wealthy progressive donors who are angry about legacies can withhold donations to elite colleges until this practice is ended. I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
Good points, MichKosk. I wonder how many folks in Congress (on both sides of the aisle), past and present, used legacy admissions for their friends and family. Perhaps why a bill outlawing legacy admissions may never see the light of day?
The Cohort is apparently in solidarity with excluding many others, often more qualified, from higher education and possibly employment. What has affirmative action accomplished over the last decades? The Supreme Court addressed that in great detail and it is discriminatory and inconsistent with many provisions of the US Constitution. To drag in a slogan from South Africa, of all places, exposes these cohort members of what they really are. This decision pulls the rug from under their specious arguments.
This Peninsula Solidarity Cohort sounds like false advertising. They are attempting to rationalize racism/discrimination to address racism/discrimination. Not much solidarity there… What’s next, a Peace Cohort that promotes war to address war, promotes criminal activity to address criminal activity, promotes murder to address murder? As faith leaders and organizers, you should educate yourselves on why it’s wrong to promote racism to address racism, especially since this attitude will only promote more aggrieved races.
As for Justice Jackson’s dissent, and for a contrast, you may want to review Justice Clarence Thomas’s concurrence of the Supreme Court decision. You can read Justice Thomas’s rebuttal to the dissent and discrimination pushed by Justice Jackson (starts on page 97 of the SC decision, if any are interested). Instead of talking the talk via this “call to action” perhaps you could tell us what you’re all doing to walk the walk? Graciously provide examples on how you’re practicing discrimination to address discrimination, or maybe, and we can hope, you’re not practicing discrimination to reduce racial segregation. Promoting racism to address racism isn’t a successful formula.
When I was young my mother taught me to listen to people and hear what they have to say - and check what their morals and values are before making any kind of judgments. And even then - we can never judge - just make our own opinions and decide who we do and dont agree with - and who we do and dont want to associate with. Nobody should be forced think or say anything they dont want to - and most importantly should never be forced to associate with people they do not want to. I feel like the word "Freedom" is no longer universally agreed upon. When Freedom becomes subjective you have problematic country. This is what we have.
Harvard’s affirmative action went out searching for promising students that otherwise would never have made it. That’s how they found MSNBC’s Joe Reid, in a small, hidden, black community, where she graduated from an unknown HS. She excelled grade wise at Harvard, but was made very uncomfortable by white students who kept pointing at her as someone who didn’t belong there, - in their selective, distinguished, white society! Today, she is a highly respected TV-host!
Sorry: Joy Reid! Shame on me!
Jorg, are you talking about the Joy Reid who said she has never heard of a person who isn’t an economist or works on CNBC use the term "inflation"? I guess many DJ contributors, even you, are economists or work for CNBC. Are you talking about the Joy Reid who made excuses for a would-be stabber who was shot by police before harming innocent people? I guess Ms. Reid wasn’t too worried about the defenseless people who thought they were going to be killed by the stabber. BTW, you may want to look up the definition of highly respected, because Ms. Reid is definitely more of a highly ridiculed or highly race-baiting TV host than respected. Happy National Chocolate Wafer Day!
Sure, TY: Reid it your way!
Jorg, so no rebuttal? It sounds like you agree that what I read about Reid was an accurate read.
Jorg...you feel very comfortable saying the word "black" - i doubt you have any real friends from so-called "black" countries communities or cultures. To be honest the way you speak is mad offensive.
So, Littlefoot, what on flat Earth do you know about my feelings and respect for Black people? Besides the direct experiences I have had with outright racism, described in my book “DE&B”, I have done projects in graduate business school with blacks and taught a whole class of pitch-black guys from Ghana welding technology and associated safety, while I can thank a black American soldier for the existence of a major part of my own family, also described in my book. I am just as comfortable referring to Black people as I am referring to Whites. What’s the difference? Aren’t we all equal people, with just different skin color? But of course, I don’t expect a humble apology from you.
All im saying Jorg - is stop referring to people by color. Its not the way to go. I'll drop a quick metaphor....I have experienced crazy domestic violence....does that mean I understand a womans experience with it? When people over explain - it usually means they are wrong. And if you dont come from a military family please dont solicit that energy. My family has died for the right for you to say whatever you want to say to me - please show some respect. (My grandfather earned a Bronze Star in the Battle of the Bulge)
Let me say one more thing. There can never be integration without assimilation. And that is a 2 way street.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.