Will Racial Entitlements Be a Permanent System?

In its two long-awaited decisions, the Supreme Court simply validated the 1978 Bakke case, in which Justice Lewis Powell justified using race as a factor in university admissions as part of a compelling state interest in achieving greater student body diversity (June 24).

In writing for the new majority opinion, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote that “we expect that 25 years from now, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today.”

If we have not been able to eliminate race as a consideration in the last 25 years, why does O’Connor think that we will be able to successfully do so after the next 25 years?

Unfortunately, we have now established a permanent system of racial entitlement in this country, especially because the achievement of a “critical mass,” or “greater student body diversity” will always be elusive goals and because those who benefit from these decisions know that chief executives, college administrators and governmental officials will never have the courage to say “enough!”

Jim Redhead

San Diego

*

It appears as if the Supreme Court has ruled that universities can select their sports teams strictly by talent and capability, but when they select potential doctors and lawyers, it is acceptable to use some other standard.

Allan Kokin

Los Angeles

*

If affirmative action is such a good thing, why doesn’t it apply to the National Basketball Assn. and National Football League?

Ridiculous? Well, that’s the point.

Michael Baskin

Covina