The Erosion of Affirmative Action and its Consequences for the Black-White Educational Attainment Gap

Abstract

The disparity in economic outcomes between whites and blacks in the United States has long been an important social and political issue. While there are many factors contributing to this economic gulf, a crucial element is undoubtedly the large and pervasive gap that exists in the level of educational attainment between whites and blacks. It is wellknown that higher levels of educational attainment are correlated with greater earnings, lower unemployment, and greater levels of labor force attachment. Therefore, addressing the issue of inequality in educational attainment, particularly that of higher education, may provide substantial long-term benefits toward ultimately creating economic and social equality. Over the past several decades many colleges and universities have employed affirmative action in their admissions programs in order to foster more campus diversity and to provide greater educational opportunities for underrepresented minorities. The mid-1990s, however, saw the beginnings of a significant affirmative action backlash that has culminated in the removal of affirmative action in several states. The use of affirmative action in university admissions has now endured more than a decade of legal, political, and social challenges and will likely remain a topic of significant debate in the near future. The outcome of this debate will likely have important implications for the future educational opportunities of underrepresented minorities, and may ultimately play a significant long-term role in the possible bridging of the black-white gap in economic outcomes.