In 1973 and 1974 Allan Bakke, a white student, was refused entry to the University of California-Davis Medical School. At that time, the school held 16 seats for minority students as an affirmative action policy. Bakke filed a lawsuit alleging reverse discrimination because he had higher test scores than several minority students admitted. In University of California Regents v. Bakke (1978), the Supreme Court upheld the principle of affirmative action, but rejected the use of racial quotas as unconstitutional. The Court ordered Bakke’s admission. The NAACP held a symposium July 20–22 to consider the implications of the Bakke decision. Afterward, the NAACP issued this statement.
In 1973 and 1974 Allan Bakke, a white student, was refused entry to the University of California-Davis Medical School. At that time, the school held 16 seats for minority students as an affirmative action policy. Bakke filed a lawsuit alleging reverse discrimination because he had higher test scores than several minority students admitted. In University of California Regents v. Bakke (1978), the Supreme Court upheld the principle of affirmative action, but rejected the use of racial quotas as unconstitutional. The Court ordered Bakke’s admission. The NAACP held a symposium July 20–22 to consider the implications of the Bakke decision. Afterward, the NAACP issued this statement.