Why the Supreme Court Might End Affirmative Action

For decades, many universities have used race as a factor when deciding which students to admit. In the past, the Supreme Court has backed that practice, called affirmative action, in the interest of creating a diverse student body.

This week, however, the majority-conservative court is considering a case that may change affirmative action forever.

Guest: Adam Liptak, a correspondent covering the Supreme Court for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• The Supreme Court appears ready to rule that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina were unlawful.
• In the clash over affirmative action, both sides invoke Brown v. Board of Education, the unanimous 1954 decision that said the Constitution prohibits racial segregation in public schools.

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