July Policy Email

July Policy Update

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

U.S. Supreme Court Courtroom

Judicial review of public policy has the power to create and uphold or dismantle and remedy racial inequality. On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned affirmative action in higher education, a policy designed to redress inequitable access in college admissions. The court's decision allows inequality in higher education to persist.

While moments like these lead to feelings of deep pain, disappointment, anger, and uncertainty, we must remember that we are resilient. We will continue to strive for laws and policies that allow all individuals to flourish.

Read on for statements from YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, that serve as guiding lights as we move forward.

YWCA USA Official Statement

"For the last 45 years, affirmative action has paved the way for equity in higher education. With today’s ruling, the Supreme Court has undermined decades of precedent and essential progress for students of color for whom the doors of educational opportunity and socioeconomic mobility too often remain closed...

While we once again face a steep barrier to diversifying the student bodies of colleges and universities, we at YWCA stand firm in our resolve to get up and do the work of equity. We will continue to work in solidarity with our partners, advocates, and allies to tear down barriers to opportunity and to advance justice so that pathways to higher education and leadership are open to all."

-Margaret Mitchell, YWCA USA CEO

FULL YWCA USA STATEMENT

The Power of Dissent

Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued dissenting opinions. They called out the majority for the harm that will be done in reversing years of support for affirmative action policies. At the end of each dissent, they offer hope and a way forward.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor:

"Notwithstanding this Court’s actions, however, society’s progress toward equality cannot be permanently halted. Diversity is now a fundamental American value, housed in our varied and multicultural American community that only continues to grow. The pursuit of racial diversity will go on. Although the Court has stripped out almost all uses of race in college admissions, universities can and should continue to use all available tools to meet society’s needs for diversity in education."

Read Justice Sotomayor's full dissent, starting at page 140.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson:

"If the colleges of this country are required to ignore a thing that matters, it will not just go away. It will take longer for racism to leave us. And, ultimately, ignoring race just makes it matter more.

The only way out of this morass—for all of us—is to stare at racial disparity unblinkingly, and then do what evidence and experts tell us is required to level the playing field and march forward together, collectively striving to achieve true equality for all Americans."

Read Justice Jackson's full dissent, starting at page 209.

YWCA 21 Day Challenge: Until Justice Just Is

21 Day Challenge: Until Justice Just Is!

Thank you to all who joined our 21-Day Challenge! Combatting racism can seem daunting, but one tangible action you can take is to continuously learn about the intersections of race and gender equity. YWCA Utah's 21 Day Challenge provides our community with free curated content as we seek to fulfill our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

This year we brought you national and local resources on the intersections of race and gender equity, disability justice, housing, wealth, music, environmental justice, and mental health. If you missed it, you can still access the content by clicking here.

Check out this video from Day 20 on Wealth Inequality in America that gives a visual representation of the wealth gap in the U.S.

WATCH HERE!

Special Issue on Racism:

1968 YWCA Magazine

YWCA USA released a digital edition of YWCA Magazine's June 1968 Special Issue on Racism. From housing justice to mourning the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., these 17 articles impart wisdom from decades ago, show how far we have come, and, in some areas, show how we haven't come far enough. Comprised of nearly 200 national and global sister YWCAs, we continue to build on the momentum and movement of those who came before us.

The next interim session takes place on August 8 and 9, 2023. Interim Schedule.

FOLLOW YWCA

Follow YWCA Utah @ywcautah and Gabriella Archuleta, our VP of Race and Gender Equity and Director of Public Policy, @_Gabe_Archuleta for policy updates during the legislative session and throughout the year.

DONATE TO YWCA UTAH

YWCA Utah | ywcautah.org | Business Line: 801-537-8604 | Crisis Line: 801-537-8600 | TTY 711

Special Issue on Racism:

﻿1968 YWCA Magazine

1968 YWCA Magazine