BlueSky Thinking Summary

Lauren Rivera, a sociologist at Kellogg School of Management, responds to the U.S.

Supreme Court's June 29, 2023, landmark ruling against the consideration of race in college admissions.

She finds this ruling extremely disheartening and discusses how it undermines any sense of urgency around diversity for progress in society.

Rivera debunks all kinds of myths related to affirmative action and that system's role in counterbalancing biases against underrepresented groups in society.

She says race-conscious admissions work against systemic inequalities by drawing a line—and with it, a contrast—to accepted gender-balancing measures.

Rivera warns that broader implications can be expected for the way elite institutions shape future leaders across sectors and calls for rethink in merit-based assumptions that preside over education and employment.

She takes for granted issuing legal uncertainty and scaring off stifling diversity initiatives in the workplace.