Supreme’s Courts June 2023 Rulings

The Supreme Court of the United States kicks off summer 2023, leaving millions of Americans with questions regarding their decision on Affirmative Action, Gay Rights, and Student Loan Forgiveness. Unfortunately, I am one of the millions who have concerns.

The Overturn of Affirmative Action for Higher Education

Affirmative action basically ensures that an American should be able to enter the workforce regardless of their race. There have been many policies put into place in the past to shape America’s working conditions to become diverse, however to allow diversity to continue, many minority Americans need a college degree. While affirmative action relates to employment, higher education institutions were allowed to select their student body primarily based on race. President Obama sought to provide an equal opportunity for all Americans to apply for colleges of their choice, regardless of race. With the SCOTUS’s decision to overturn this policy, leaves the question: Will these universities continue to accept students to create a racially diverse student body?

I would like to believe that private colleges and universities would want to develop a diverse student body on their campuses to aid in shaping America to become what it was meant to be from the beginning: truly free for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. However, I fear these institutions will revert to selecting the country’s racial majority. Most minority students are already disadvantaged financially, and to have their opportunity to an Ivy League school blocked because of their ethnicity is discriminatory. When affirmative action was in place, every student had a higher probability of being accepted because these institutions were required to create diversity. They would extend financial aid to entice minorities to apply for enrollment to meet the purpose of affirmative action. I can only hope these institutions witnessed the benefit of a racially diverse campus and continue to practice extending learning opportunities to a diverse group of young Americans.

Ruling in Favor of Web Developer

A Colorado web designer refused to create marriage websites for same-sex couples, argued it was against her religion to do so. The designer was never asked to create a website for any same-sex couple, but believed if she were asked, she would be forced to, due to the state’s anti-discrimination laws. While is it a public service, the question is: Should we consider web designing a product like retail, or a creative service like art? Will this SCOTUS decision produce a negative repercussion on the LGBTQ community?

I have mixed feelings on the web designer case. As a writer, I can empathize to an extent. It is a private business, and as a business owner, you should have the right to chose your clients (which in this case, she does). I understand her right to her religious beliefs and her refusal to create the website. I would not want to be forced to write on a topic I am uncomfortable with. What I find disturbing is, will other businesses use this ruling to refuse service to LGBTQ customers? Are restaurants going to return to placing signs on their doors stating: only heterosexual couples allowed? I fear this decision will be the beginning of restrictive business practices.

Striking Down Loan Forgiveness

Millions of Americans need a student loan to advance their education because their families cannot afford college due to the cost of tuition. As a result, many spend their years after graduation, climbing a towering amount of debt for decades, or even the remainder of their life. The Biden sought to provide debt relief to these American, especially since many suffered financial due to the pandemic, in the form of loan forgiveness. Unfortunately, some Republican states, whose student loan programs are linked with state income, found the executive order unconstitutional and sued. Unsurprisingly, SCOTUS ruled in favor of these states. Is there a back-up plan from the Biden Administration, or will America witness an increase in defaults?

I have applied for the forgiveness and if the court had ruled in favor of Biden, I would have been a large step to becoming debt-free. Unlike most debt-ridden Americans, I continued to pay back my loan throughout the pandemic. My opinion is more for those who will remain in debt longer than I will. I find the decision to keep Americans in debt disheartening. The common argument against forgiveness is, “You knew what you were getting yourself into when you took out the loan, so you should pay it back.” True, when I took out my loans for college, I understood the consequences and agreed to pay it back in full. However, attending college is not a guaranteed road to employment. Employment is circumstantial. Once you graduate, your income may not be enough to help you climb out of the debt hole you are thrusted down. Add a pandemic to it, where you are unable to work, makes any progress you may have become obsolete.

The Supreme Court is designed to uphold the law and base all case on the constitutional rights of the American people. When decisions are made that restrict rights, the court's legitimacy falls under question. A scrutinized look into the make of the court, there are 6 residing conservative judges who may be bias towards Christian values and rule in favor of those values, which are harmful towards many minority Americans.

I would like to invite an open discussion on these SCOTUS decisions; however, it needs to remain a civil discussion, void of rude remarks or pointless insults. Comment below your thoughts, whether you agree or disagree with me. Just keep it civil.

To learn more about the history and purpose of the Supreme Court, please read: What Do These Recent Supreme Court Rulings Mean

By fellow writer, Ashley Lima