Sunday, April 24, 2011

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

In 1978, Allan Bakke was denied admittance into the Medical School of the University of California of Davis. At this time, the school used different admission processes for minority students. Allan Bakke, a white applicant has reasonably good grades and was denied admittance. When he was denied, he sued the Regents, the University's governing board, for a place at the medical school. California's Superior Court found that the special admissions program violated the federal and state constitutions and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Even after that, Bakke was still denied into the school. On appeal in the California Supreme Court, they supported Bakke, citing the Fourteenth Amendment, he was admitted into school. The Regents then appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

I think it was a good decision because just because they are a minority doesn't mean they should have it any easier. If someone wants to make it into the medical school, then they should have to work as hard as the next person. This doesn't make it equal, this gives other people an easier opportunity. That is why I think when you apply to college you shouldn't have to put your ethnicity because it shouldn't matter. They should only look at your grades and what really matters. If they have your ethnicity, they might take you because they want diversity.



According to the decision, the Fourteenth Amendment isn't aimed at any particular minority or minorities. The Amendment was framed in universal terms, without reference to color, ethnic origin, or condition of prior servitude. I thought this video was pretty interesting because in the end, it says "search on" which is very broad yet powerful. If Allan Bakke didn't "search on" then this wouldn't have happened.

I think it was good than Bakke challenged the system because he fought for what he believed. If he didn't and just kept quiet, none of this would have happened. I think it was good because he was being treated unfair because he wasn't a minority.

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