|
to
Press Releases
Lawyers'
Committee for Civil
Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
For
Immediate Release
Contact: Diane Gross
202-662-8600
February
17, 2003
Statement
of Barbara Arnwine on The University of Michigan’s
Admissions Lawsuit
Washington
D.C. - Good Morning, I am Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive
Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil
Rights Under Law (“Lawyers’ Committee”).
The Lawyers’ Committee is a 39 year old nonpartisan,
nonprofit civil rights legal organization.
Tomorrow,
the Lawyers’ Committee will join with countless
other civil rights, women’s, religious, and civic
organizations, as well as corporations and businesses,
bar associations, law firms, educational institutions,
military and elected officials and state attorneys
general, in recommending that the United States Supreme
Court uphold the constitutionality of the University
of Michigan’s admissions policies. The reason
for this unprecedented support is very clear –
diversity in institutions of higher education not
only enriches the educational experience of all students,
including white students, but it also ensures that
every institution in our nation has the ability to
reflect the rich diversity of the United States.
The
University of Michigan case is critically important
to furthering educational opportunities of all the
citizens of our nation, because in a diverse nation
exposure to different perspectives benefits everyone.
The diversity that the University of Michigan seeks
to achieve goes beyond race and gender, students who
have geographical diversity, or who are good athletes,
or who come from disadvantaged schools, or even those
who have parents who attended the University, all
have different outlooks and perspectives that contribute
to the class. The University knows that it is critical
for students to understand and appreciate people’s
differences in the academic setting because that is
where the skills and knowledge are developed that
are essential to be successful member of our society.
The Lawyers’ Committee is filing an amicus brief
in this case because we believe that the University
of Michigan system is a constitutional and necessary
means of achieving that diversity.
It
is clear that the benefits of diversity go far beyond
the academic setting, which is why so many businesses
and corporations chose to support the University of
Michigan. They all know that a diverse workforce helps
to expand and reach out to new markets in the global
community. Employers all over the country rely on
affirmative action programs in institutions of higher
education to create a diverse and well-educated workforce,
which will help them compete successfully both in
the United States and throughout the world. Many of
these employers have also set up their own affirmative
action programs to create a more diverse workforce.
Eliminating these programs will be bad for American
business.
We
need look no further than the recent census to see
the diverse populations that make up the United States.
As we become a more diverse nation, it is imperative
that our schools, businesses, hospitals and courtrooms
reflect that diversity. Now is not the time to roll
back the clock on racial progress. Affirmative action
helps ensure that all people, regardless of race and
gender, have the tools and skills to succeed, the
economic well being of our nation depends on nothing
less.
top
to Press Releases
|
