WASHINGTON, June 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), a national organization that supports and advocates for diversity in the legal profession, denounced today's Supreme Court decision in the cases of Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education (Kentucky) and Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District.
"The ruling in these cases could set back years of integration progress in our public school system," said Veta Richardson, Executive Director of MCCA. "How does the Supreme Court think our public schools will be racially integrated on a voluntary basis if the school districts are prevented from considering the race of those children enrolled in their schools?"
In essence, the Court's decision in these cases focused on the constitutionality of race-based student assignment in K-12 education. Keeping schools more racially balanced, they argued, enhances diversity and the quality of education at each school.
Many diversity leaders, including MCCA, agree with that argument and further contend that the Supreme Court decisions not only restrict school districts' efforts to combat segregation, but also will minimize efforts to teach racial awareness and tolerance, attributes that help prepare students to better participate in a racially-diverse, globally-focused society.
"Efforts by school districts to achieve racial balance within schools have proven to foster diversity and open-mindedness in the educational setting. The rulings in these two cases are a step backward and could return us to separate, but unequal educational opportunities for our youth," said Richardson. "It should be something that concerns us all."
MCCA was founded to advocate for the expanded hiring, promotion and retention of minority attorneys in corporate legal departments and the law firms that serve them. MCCA's headquarters are in Washington, D.C., with offices in Atlanta and Chicago.
Minority Corporate Counsel Association
CONTACT: Diane Nowak-Waring or April Preston, +1-410-626-0805,
+1-301-261-1570, mediarelations@mcca.com, both for the Minority Corporate
Counsel Association
