From Affirmative Action to Reparations: Bridging Racial Economic Inequality
From Affirmative Action to Reparations: Bridging Racial Economic ... CounterPunch
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The Impact of the Supreme Court’s Decision on Affirmative Action
Photograph by Nathaniel St. Clair
The recent decision by the Supreme Court to limit affirmative action in higher education has once again highlighted the issue of racial inequality in the United States. While the Court’s decision aims to promote colorblindness, it fails to address the deep-rooted racial disparities that exist in our society. It is crucial to recognize that specific policies need to be implemented to address and repair these divisions.
The Racial Wealth Divide as the Foundation of Racial Economic Inequality
Racial economic inequality is at the core of racial inequality, and the racial wealth divide serves as its foundation. By examining the areas of economics and wealth, we can clearly see the extent of contemporary racial inequality.
- In 2019, the median Black wealth was $9,000, Latino wealth was $14,000, and white wealth was $160,000.
- There are also significant disparities in median income, with African Americans at $41,000, Native Americans at $42,000, Latinos at $51,000, whites at $71,000, and Asian Americans at $87,000.
- Homeownership rates further highlight the contrast, with Black and Latinx homeownership rates at 42% and 47.5% respectively, while white homeownership rates reach a record high of nearly 73%.
The Origins and Purpose of Affirmative Action
Affirmative action, a policy aimed at addressing historical disadvantages and discrimination faced by marginalized groups, traces its roots back to President John F. Kennedy’s Executive Order 10925 in 1961. The order sought to provide greater employment opportunities for African Americans in government contracting. Since then, affirmative action policies have aimed to increase representation and opportunities for historically marginalized groups such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and women.
While affirmative action has shown success in the government sector, particularly for African Americans, it has not yielded similar results in the private sector. For example, in the banking industry, Blacks and Latinos are still predominantly found in entry-level positions, with only 3% and 4% representation at the executive level.
The Challenges and Impact of Conservative Opposition
Conservative opposition has consistently hindered the full implementation of affirmative action programs since their inception. Simultaneously, these conservatives have perpetuated structural inequalities by steering the economy in a regressive direction over the years. By shifting away from a progressive economic model that benefited lower- and middle-income Americans, the US economy has exacerbated racial economic inequality.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. | Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure.
- Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. | Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing. |
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Source: counterpunch.org
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