WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) today issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling that colleges and universities can no longer consider a person’s race as an express factor in the admissions process – a decision that ends affirmative action:

“We are reminded yet again today that we are not a colorblind nation – and that the
reality and legacy of systemic racism is alive and well in America.

The Supreme Court’s decision to gut affirmative action not only overturns decades of precedent and progress toward increasing minority representation at colleges and universities – it affirms there are limits to achieving the American dream for non-white people and students in this country.

This is an outrageous ruling by a group of activist judges – and it will have a devastating impact on communities of color like mine who have historically been denied equal opportunity at higher education.

We must continue to fight to build a more just and more equitable future where everyone has a fair shot at making a better life for themselves.

Diversity is our nation’s strength – not our weakness.”

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