In my lifetime I have been exposed to Affirmative Action - which refers to a set of policies and practices within a government or organization seeking to benefit marginalized groups. Then there was Diversity - which recognized that “a diverse workforce brings together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and problem solving approaches. One fact that came from diverse workforces was that companies increased their bottom line when their workforce was diverse. Recently DEI - Diversity - Equity and Inclusion has been the corporate buzzword. The Roberts Court rolled back affirmative action laws in June 2023. After decades of accepting that marginalized groups which include women needed assistance just to be considered theRobert’s US Supreme Courtdecided that enough had been done and it was no longer needed. Even with all of the research showing that diverse workplaces result in higher profits corporations began almost immediately rolling back programs. I reached out to Attorney RODNEY STRONG from Griffin and Strong PC after he spoke on this subject at an Atlanta Business League event. Attorney Rodney Strong welcome to The Local Take.
I asked Attorney Strong, to tell us about the legal challenges now being faced by many of our institutions including Howard University’s Medical School, and also new opportunities like the funding from the Fearless Fund in other words who are the people fighting to keep everything SO WHITE?
Strong explains that the short answer is the same people who opposed integration and they opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Acts, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and the 1968 Fair House Act the same forces that opposed these laws when they passed have been working to overturn. There are forces in our country that want to preserve the fiction of White Supremacy at any cost.
One of the things that I don’t understand is that the culture that uplifts meritocracy refuses to compete unless the playing field is rigged in their favor. I asked Strong if this was something they simply refused to see or acknowledge. Strong speaks about our history and the lawsuits that the US Supreme Court has decided. He recounts the challenge that put us here starting with the refusal to allow President Obama to appoint a Supreme Court justice.
Ever since the BAKKE ruling in the 1970’s we all had to know that eventually “affirmative action” would be struck down. To me, and I was a child this meant we’d never be able to depend on the courts to protect our rights. What’s the new plan? What can we do to obtain access to the things that other citizens take for granted? Strong reviews the cases that challenged the original affirmative action laws and spoke about the cases that have constantly eroded these rights for marginalized citizens.
This never-ending fight for true equity in the United States is exhausting. Our community has shown resilience but to continuously fight for your humanity in a country that professes freedom is debilitating for all citizens. You can’t keep one community down, without impacting every community. Strong encourages us to vote and after voting to hold elected officials accountable.
For more information on the Robert’s Supreme Court decision