𝐄𝐎𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐫𝐚

    In our last EOTO of the semester, we heard many different positives and negatives of the Civil Rights Era. To focus mainly on the positive movements that made an impact in society were the Montgomery Bus Boycott, The Little Rock Nine and James Meredith, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These are just a few events that changed America, positively for some and negatively for others.

    To start we have The Montgomery Bus Boycott taught by Jake Ankrum . The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a key event in the American civil rights movement, beginning on December 5, 1955, and lasting 381 days. It was sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. In reaction, African American citizens, led by figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., organized a boycott of the city’s buses to protest segregation and racial injustice. The boycott aimed to challenge the discriminating practices of the bus system and highlighted the economic power of the black community. It ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional, marking a powerful victory in the struggle for civil rights.

    Secondly Hayes gave us a little education on, Little Rock Nine and James Meredith, The Little Rock Nine also known as a group of nine African American students who enrolled at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in September 1957, following the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Hayes, taught us the class that, their integration was met with violent resistance from segregationists and even the Arkansas National Guard, initially ordered by Governor Orval Faubus and President Eisenhower to prevent the students from entering.

    James Meredith was another key figure in the civil rights movement, known for being the first African American to enroll at the University of Mississippi in 1962. I knew a little bit about James Meredith due to our court case Regents of the University of California v. Bakke. His admission was met with significant unrest and violence, requiring federal intervention to ensure his safety and uphold his right to attend the university. Both events were critical in the struggle against segregation and highlighted the challenges faced during the desegregation of schools in the United States. 

    Lastly, Most importantly to most African Americans at the time was the Voting Acts of 1965. Which was taught to us by Camerin Williams. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a milestone piece of federal legislation to overcome legal barriers that prevented African Americans from the right to vote, mainly in the Southern states. The Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, following widespread protests, notably the Selma to Montgomery marches. Key conditions of the Act included the prohibition of literacy tests, which were often used to defeat black voters, and the federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of biased practices. The law significantly increased voter registration and participation among African Americans and was a crucial step in the broader civil rights movement, promoting equality and access to the electoral process. 

    As previously stated these are just a few events that positively impacted the lives of not only African Americans of the 1960s but lives of African Americans today. Without these events who knows what life would be like today? We definitely wouldn't be in class learning about them today. 

𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐯𝐬. 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐤𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦:

   

Honorable Justices of this Court

Your Honors, I stand here today to defend not just an admissions policy, but a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to justice, equity, and opportunity. This case is not just about a single individual or a singular decision. It is about the larger societal necessity to address and punish the enduring legacy of racial exclusion in higher education.

    When we discuss affirmative action, we are not speaking hypothetically. We are talking of a reality shaped by generations of rejection. 

In 1961, Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes broke barriers as the first African American students to enroll at the University of Georgia. They faced intense pushback for their courageous actions, enduring protest, and hostility from both fellow students and the surrounding community. Still, their enrollment became a pivotal moment in the efforts to desegregate higher education in the South. Hunter-Gault's later success as a celebrated journalist and author highlights the transformative impact of ensuring educational opportunities for everyone. 

        A year later, in 1962, James Meredith made history by becoming the first African American to integrate into the University of Mississippi. His journey was even more challenging as his enrollment sparked violent riots that demanded federal protection to keep him safe. Despite the immense personal toll, Meredith's unwavering determination to pursue his right to higher education exposed the deep-seated resistance to integration. His courage not only marked a turning point in the civil rights movement but also became a lasting symbol of the fight against systematic racism in education.

    These historic milestones remind us of the extraordinary courage and determination it took for African Americans to access higher education, even after the legal abolition of segregation. However, the scars of systemic racism and inequity did not vanish with desegregation rulings. Today, many African American students are still the first in their families to attend college. They often face challenges rooted in economic differences, underfunded schools, and the long shadow of discrimination. Affirmative action acknowledges these realities and seeks to ensure that the doors James Meredith and Charlayne Hunter-Gault worked so hard to open remain accessible to all.

    California’s admissions policies were designed with this history in mind. They aim to create opportunities for those who, for generations, were denied them, not by lowering standards but by enlarging the criteria by which we consider merit and potential. The policy acknowledges that diversity enhances everyone's educational experience. In the context of medical education, it also leads to improved healthcare outcomes for our increasingly diverse society. It ensures that future doctors will better understand and serve patients from all walks of life. This principle applies not only to medical professions but also to the representation of diverse communities in other fields of work.

    Mr. Bakke claims he was excluded based on his race "reverse discrimination". But I urge this Court to consider: Without policies that actively promote inclusion, how can we counteract the exclusion baked into our nation’s history? Affirmative action is not about punishing one group; it is about mending systemic unfairness and ensuring that we all move forward together.

    The state of California has a compelling interest in fostering diversity, inclusion, and equity within its public institutions. This Court has recognized the importance of diversity in education in cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and Sweatt v. Painter. The admissions policy at the University of California is consistent with those principles and reflects our shared commitment to justice.

    Honorable Justices, I ask you to imagine the transformative power of giving first-generation African American students (those who walk in the footsteps of James Meredith, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, and Hamilton Holmes) the opportunity to contribute to their communities and society at large. Affirmative action is not just a policy; it is a promise, a promise that our public institutions will strive to reflect the diversity, resilience, and strength of our people.

    For these reasons, I respectfully urge this Court to uphold California’s admissions policy. It is a critical step toward achieving the equality and opportunity.

Thank you!