ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith recently challenged the Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action in college admissions. Speaking on "Fox News Tonight," Smith contended that affirmative action was never about providing an unfair advantage to African Americans, but rather an attempt to address historical inequities and level the playing field. He emphasized that race was just one factor among many considered in college applications, not the sole determinant.
Smith argued that affirmative action policies were initially established to counteract the discrimination faced by African Americans, who were historically denied opportunities afforded to White individuals. He stated, "It wasn't about giving them an advantage. It was about highlighting the fact that they were discriminated [against]...And that's why the policy was instituted to begin with."
The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling against affirmative action was lauded by Students for Fair Admissions, the group behind the lawsuits against Harvard and the University of North Carolina. They viewed the decision as a step towards a colorblind legal system and a rejection of discriminatory admission practices.
Host Will Cain countered Smith's argument, suggesting that past discrimination shouldn't be addressed with present discrimination. He questioned the fairness of a system where a Black student in the top 50% of their class has the same admission chances as a White or Asian student in the top 10%. Smith acknowledged the concerns of the Asian American community who brought the case, but directed his criticism towards those who advocate for a merit-based system while ignoring the historical context that necessitated affirmative action.
Cain raised the question of when race-based considerations should end, to which Smith replied, "When people in positions of power have proven that they're exercising fairness come hell or high water." He highlighted the predominantly White power structure in the U.S., asserting that many minority communities lack trust in the fairness of the system without legal protections like affirmative action.
Smith drew a parallel to the NFL's "Rooney Rule," designed to increase minority representation in leadership roles. He argued that the rule's continued existence underscores the ongoing need for such measures, as qualified Black candidates have been historically overlooked. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of open and honest dialogue on these complex issues.
