As I begin to write this piece, the thought of breaking down the phrase Affirmative Action comes to me.
Affirmative: supportive, hopeful, encouraging
Action: process of doing something to achieve an aim or an act
Put ’em together and what do you get? Encouraging act, supportive act, a hopeful act.
On June 8, 2023, the powers that be decided that they are done acting hopeful, encouraging and supportive. This decision is calling more to the action of taking the mask off. We are living in a time where the ideals of our country are becoming more clear.
Rugged Individualism. Only one way. Paternalism.
I won’t reference the words of several of the Supreme Court justices and their historic words regarding the so-called “colorblind constitution.” Affirmative Action was meant to be a tool to provide access to our norms of the American Dream.
In my experience working in the private STEM industry, I’ve seen how easy it is for the privileged to mitigate equality and equity on trivial factors in recruiting such as professional organization leadership or which school a candidate attended.
At one point it was my responsibility to educate hiring managers and senior leadership on how historically black colleges and universities were established, the qualities of their education and their culture, to illustrate that students from those schools were good enough for internships and entry level roles! Internships and entry level roles!
Can you imagine the experiences of those young intelligent black and brown people now? Working the long nights, studying, sacrificing their time and energy to be good enough for a world that doesn’t understand value in non-white spaces? Can you imagine the demoralization of working so hard just to find out you are not good enough because you did not attend a PWI (primarily white institution)?
I wouldn’t have had the professional experiences I’ve had if I didn’t have my certification from Cornell on my resume. I’ve literally been told in interviews and by clients that that one (teeny weeny) certificate gave comfort to the decision makers when selecting me.
The system, unfortunately, has these checkmarks baked in. Removing Affirmative Action is an example of an authoritarian approach, high level of accountability in cahoots with low or no support. In this case, support is seen as a handout instead of access. This Supreme Court decision furthers the message there is a best and only path to the American Dream and that access is not granted to those unable to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.
The removal of Affirmative Action is not because our country has suddenly invited us all to the same race at the same time. It is a clear demonstration that equity and equality are not a part of our values.
Though it is infuriating that these doors are closing after more than 63 years, this may be our call to challenge performative actions while maintaining the 8 components of our core self. The removal of Affirmative Action is our summons to question cultural expressions and societal norms, such as power hoarding and perfectionism.
It is imperative that we remember our why as we connect with each other and build community, deepening our relationships through our affinity and shared passions.Then as we encounter different perspectives regarding Affirmative Action, we can engage, remembering that we all have parts, and those parts have needs behind their actions.
The restorative approach asks that we seek to understand the needs of parts and work with them to abolish systems that cause harm. This is our time to say ‘Oooo we see your spades, yes, they are sharp and we bring forward our hearts of curiosity, connection and compassion. Then work towards action.’
Community has always raised up when society says the answer is no. It’s time to do it again. Represent in a fashion that educates our communities of opportunities and resources that empowers our own education and economic prowess.
Communities of color have always and will always make a way out of no way. So as the Supreme Court shuts the door in the faces of many students and families of color, let’s challenge ourselves and invite the folks in our circle to be socially and civically engaged.
Though affirmative action will be missed, the performative nature of it will not. Let’s begin restoring ourselves independent of our nation’s superficial supportive act. As President Obama has reminded us of often, We are the ones that we are waiting for.
Jazzy Bivar-Tobie
The Fancy Hippie Group
Thefancyhippiegroup.biz
In June 2023, the Supreme Court ended Affirmative Action, a tool meant to provide access to our norms of the American Dream. Though it is infuriating that these doors are closing after more than 63 years, the community has always raised up when society says the answer is no. It’s time to do it again. The restorative approach asks that we center our shared humanity, celebrate our diversity, abolish systems that cause harm and find creative and sustainable solutions to obstacles. So as the Supreme Court shuts the door in the faces of many families of color, let’s challenge ourselves and invite the folks in our circle to be socially and civically engaged. #restorativejustice #affirmativeaction
