ASPIRE PAC Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Affirmative Action

WASHINGTON, DC – ASPIRE PAC Chair Grace Meng released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action and race-based admissions policies in colleges and universities:

“The Supreme Court’s decision is a grave disservice to diversity and the promise of equal opportunity for all. The diaspora of the AANHPI community is a perfect example of how diversity can be our greatest strength, and why we need to promote policies that encourage and grow it, not just at college campuses, but also at all levels of government and in corporate boardrooms. This decision undermines the stated goal of a fairer admissions process for AANHPI, Latino, and Black students and does nothing to address the legacy- and donor-connected admissions that give preference to students from privileged and higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

“Moreover, I am disgusted by Republican leaders touting this decision and perpetuating the model minority myth, once again proving that they view AANHPIs as a community of color only when it suits them. The Republicans expressing triumph about this case are the same leaders who refused to acknowledge the rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, in some cases even inflaming it. They are the same leaders that have stopped at nothing to strip away women’s reproductive freedom and the right to make their own healthcare decisions. And they are the same leaders working to prevent Chinese Americans from homeownership, feeding into racial discrimination and making it harder for Asian Americans to pursue the American Dream of owning a home and raising a family.

“The AANHPI community can see through Republican attempts to make affirmative action a wedge issue and will refuse to let them define us. Democrats remain focused on actions that matter to the Asian American community, on health care reform, strengthening our economy, and common sense gun safety. Most importantly, we remain focused on uplifting the AANHPI community and championing its diversity, including expanding and growing the number of AANHPI leaders in Congress.” 

Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Rising & Empowering Political Action Committee (ASPIRE PAC) is the political arm of the Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Members of Congress. ASPIRE PAC is committed to supporting candidates of AANHPI descent and incumbents who represent large communities of AANHPI voters. According to the 2020 census, the AANHPI community is the fastest-growing demographic in the country. In addition, in 2020 the AANHPI community increased its voter turnout more than any other community of color. There are currently 21 AANHPI Members of Congress, including two U.S. Senators, and two new Members of Congress – Shri Thanedar (MI-13) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).

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