Post by abbey1227 on Nov 1, 2022 10:07:08 GMT
INSIDER
Clarence Thomas says 'I don't have a clue' what 'diversity' means as the Supreme Court confronts the role of race in university admissions
Oma Seddiq,Jake Epstein Mon, October 31, 2022 at 11:51 AM
Justice Clarence Thomas questioned the meaning of "diversity" during Supreme Court arguments.
The question came during a high-profile challenge against the University of North Carolina's race-conscious admissions process.
The conservative justices seemed open to eliminating race as a consideration in university admissions.
Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday questioned the meaning of "diversity" as the court heard a high-profile challenge against the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill over its race-conscious admissions process.
As diversity was brought up repeatedly throughout the hours-long oral arguments, Thomas, the court's longest-serving justice and widely considered the most conservative, pressed for a more specific definition of the term.
"I've heard the word diversity quite a few times and I don't have a clue what it means. It seems to mean everything for everyone," Thomas asked North Carolina's solicitor general Ryan Park, who represented the university.
"I'd like you to give us a specific definition of diversity in the context of the University of North Carolina," Thomas continued. "And I'd also like you to give us a clear idea of exactly what the educational benefits of diversity at the University of North Carolina would be."
The college's definition of diversity aligns with the Supreme Court's definition, Park responded, which is: "a broadly diverse set of criteria that extends to all different backgrounds and perspectives, and not solely limited to race."
"We value diversity of all different kinds and all the ways that people differ in our society," Park added.
On the "educational benefits" question, Park said it's undisputed that diversity leads to a "deeper and richer learning environment," a "more creative thinking and exchange of ideas," and "reduced bias" on college campuses.
Thomas pushed back on that assessment by pointing to his own experience: "I didn't go to racially diverse schools, but there were educational benefits."
He then urged Park to further explain how university learning is better served by diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
"I'd like you to tell me expressly when a parent sends a kid to college, they don't necessarily send them there to have fun or feel good or anything like that," Thomas said. "They send them there to learn physics or chemistry or whatever they're studying."
Park reiterated UNC's view by using stock-trading as an example, stating that racially diverse groups "perform at a higher level" because the dynamic "reduces groupthink" and produces "longer and more sustained disagreement," leading to a "more efficient outcome."
Clarence Thomas says 'I don't have a clue' what 'diversity' means as the Supreme Court confronts the role of race in university admissions
Oma Seddiq,Jake Epstein Mon, October 31, 2022 at 11:51 AM
Justice Clarence Thomas questioned the meaning of "diversity" during Supreme Court arguments.
The question came during a high-profile challenge against the University of North Carolina's race-conscious admissions process.
The conservative justices seemed open to eliminating race as a consideration in university admissions.
Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday questioned the meaning of "diversity" as the court heard a high-profile challenge against the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill over its race-conscious admissions process.
As diversity was brought up repeatedly throughout the hours-long oral arguments, Thomas, the court's longest-serving justice and widely considered the most conservative, pressed for a more specific definition of the term.
"I've heard the word diversity quite a few times and I don't have a clue what it means. It seems to mean everything for everyone," Thomas asked North Carolina's solicitor general Ryan Park, who represented the university.
"I'd like you to give us a specific definition of diversity in the context of the University of North Carolina," Thomas continued. "And I'd also like you to give us a clear idea of exactly what the educational benefits of diversity at the University of North Carolina would be."
The college's definition of diversity aligns with the Supreme Court's definition, Park responded, which is: "a broadly diverse set of criteria that extends to all different backgrounds and perspectives, and not solely limited to race."
"We value diversity of all different kinds and all the ways that people differ in our society," Park added.
On the "educational benefits" question, Park said it's undisputed that diversity leads to a "deeper and richer learning environment," a "more creative thinking and exchange of ideas," and "reduced bias" on college campuses.
Thomas pushed back on that assessment by pointing to his own experience: "I didn't go to racially diverse schools, but there were educational benefits."
He then urged Park to further explain how university learning is better served by diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
"I'd like you to tell me expressly when a parent sends a kid to college, they don't necessarily send them there to have fun or feel good or anything like that," Thomas said. "They send them there to learn physics or chemistry or whatever they're studying."
Park reiterated UNC's view by using stock-trading as an example, stating that racially diverse groups "perform at a higher level" because the dynamic "reduces groupthink" and produces "longer and more sustained disagreement," leading to a "more efficient outcome."
But Thomas appeared to dismiss that evidence by comparing that argument to "arguments in favor of segregation."
comments:
15 hours ago
Race shouldn’t be a factor in college admissions but neither should a person’s last name. Nor should the amount their parents donated factor in as well.
12 hours ago
Right, until they stop admitting people who pay for their kids to get in, because their parents went to the school and give endowments. If the kids have the grades to get in, they should be allowed in.
15 hours ago
Nor should your ability to throw a football or shoot a basketball. Admission should be based on intelligence. If they can still meet the intelligence requirements, then pay them for their sports ability instead of using them to create money for the university/college.
12 hours ago
Very simple solution. In the university admission application, eliminate the question on race or ethnicity of the applicant. Simply judge their admissibility on grades, participation in high school activities, and accomplishments. Do not have any in-person interviews, judge the merits of the app...See more
14 hours ago
The court has become a political outgrowth of a divided country. We are not heading in the right direction.
13 hours ago
Universities cut breaks for kids of big donors, alumni, and sometimes even for well-known celebrities. The issue is weirdly complicated as a result. Many youngsters are let in over others who have better qualifications every year, so what is the right/fair balance? That needs to be determined. If admission was always a "meritocracy," this case would be easy.
14 hours ago
A college test is not trying to produce a more efficient outcome. Comparing stock trading to taking a college test is like comparing apples and oranges. In fact, I remember that when I was in college, for some classes, I look for smarter classmates to study with to prepare for an upcoming exam. That's not diversity.
Race shouldn’t be a factor in college admissions but neither should a person’s last name. Nor should the amount their parents donated factor in as well.
12 hours ago
Right, until they stop admitting people who pay for their kids to get in, because their parents went to the school and give endowments. If the kids have the grades to get in, they should be allowed in.
15 hours ago
Nor should your ability to throw a football or shoot a basketball. Admission should be based on intelligence. If they can still meet the intelligence requirements, then pay them for their sports ability instead of using them to create money for the university/college.
12 hours ago
Very simple solution. In the university admission application, eliminate the question on race or ethnicity of the applicant. Simply judge their admissibility on grades, participation in high school activities, and accomplishments. Do not have any in-person interviews, judge the merits of the app...See more
14 hours ago
The court has become a political outgrowth of a divided country. We are not heading in the right direction.
13 hours ago
Universities cut breaks for kids of big donors, alumni, and sometimes even for well-known celebrities. The issue is weirdly complicated as a result. Many youngsters are let in over others who have better qualifications every year, so what is the right/fair balance? That needs to be determined. If admission was always a "meritocracy," this case would be easy.
14 hours ago
A college test is not trying to produce a more efficient outcome. Comparing stock trading to taking a college test is like comparing apples and oranges. In fact, I remember that when I was in college, for some classes, I look for smarter classmates to study with to prepare for an upcoming exam. That's not diversity.
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