Before it rises for the summer, the Supreme Court of the United States will issue its decision in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. The case presents an opportunity to prohibit affirmative action in university admissions, and some commentators expect the justices to do just that. Even-handed and balanced approaches to the issue are rare, but I feel comfortable recommending this one: Even while voicing its hope that affirmative action is on the way out, the current edition of The Economist describes the increasing segregation of US cities and schools, an issue familiar to readers of my recent post on Springfield, Massachusetts.
Although the case is about admissions, Fisher could have an impact well beyond college campuses, perhaps even reaching into executive branch decisions at the state level. Whatever your stand on the policy — mend it, or end it — stay tuned.
Peter Vickery, Esq., 