Since the Harvard case before the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down preferences in admissions at universities, a Gallup study followed up on American’s views on the use of affirmative action in decision-making.  A Gallup Center on Black Voices survey found that about two in three Americans (68%) say that stopping the use of race and ethnicity in university admission decisions is “mostly a good thing.”

Specifically, the Gallup poll shows the following:

Even among African Americans, the majority stated that they did not want special treatment, yet many had expressed concern that taking it away may make it harder to get into the university of their choice.  It’s a double-edged sword. 

According to the poll, about half of African American adults say the ruling will negatively impact higher education in the U.S. (50%) and the ability of applicants of their own race to attend college (52%). However, 33% of African American adults view the decision as a positive development, saying it will positively impact higher education, while 27% say it will make it easier for Black applicants. The rest view it as one that will not bear any consequences, with 17% saying it will not impact higher education and 22% saying it will make no difference to future African American college applicants.

Further, the poll showed that Hispanic adults are most likely to view the decision as positive for higher education in the U.S. but are mixed evenly in terms of the impact on applicants of their own race.

Since affirmative action has come into play, a Labor Department report in 1995 found that since the 1960s, affirmative action helped 5 million members of minority groups and 6 million women move up in the workplace.  Yet the primary beneficiaries of affirmative according to a USAToday study of executives at major organizations appear to be white women.  From 2020 to 2022, white women expanded their share of senior leadership jobs at twice the rate of women of color, though women remained outnumbered 4 to 1. Despite marginal gains among men of color, white men still hold about two-thirds of the top jobs even though they account for just one-third of U.S. workers.

According to a 2014 Cooperative Congressional Election Study, about 70% of non-Hispanic white women somewhat or strongly oppose affirmative action.  Although white women are true beneficiaries, they are not in favor of affirmative action.  Interesting enough, women are the majority of students in colleges and more likely to graduate than men. 

Still with the cost of college raising to a prohibitive level for all and horror stories of educational loans, which is a divisive issue among Americans concerning forgiveness, coupled with the dwindling population attending colleges, it requires employers to rethink how to build their workforce, whether by apprenticeship programs or in-house programs that provide mentorship and certifications.  

However, programs that mimic affirmative action style initiatives from education loans to selection process for positions are under attack.  There have been a number of lawsuits filed against companies including American Airlines, Macy's, McDonald's, and Salesforce that say their efforts to hire and promote more women and non-whites are discriminatory. 

Moreover, there have been complaints filed with EEOC and OFCCP concerning DEI programs.  And whether OFCCP and/or EEOC will investigate the complaints is unclear given this administration.

Although DEI professionals and programs are being questioned and have implemented questionable programs, many in the diversity space know that displacement of people is not the way to go, and that diversity is a glue to keep workforces working together.  Good diversity programs involve the entire workforce and are more focused on productive outcomes that assist organizations to achieve their mission.

Source:  Daily Mail 1/16/23, Gallup 1/16/24, Wall Steet Journal 1/15/24, USAToday 6/23/23