October 8th, 2012
03:58 AM ET

Justices to re-examine use of race in college admissions

Heman Marion Sweatt and Abigail Noel Fisher both wanted to attend the University of Texas at Austin.

Both claimed their race was a primary reason for their rejection. Both filed civil rights lawsuits, and the Supreme Court ultimately agreed to hear their separate appeals - filed more than half a century apart.

Their cases share much in common - vexing questions of competition, fairness, and demographics - and what role government should play when promoting political and social diversity.

But it is the key difference between these plaintiffs - separated by three generations and a troubled road to "equality" - that now confronts the nation's highest court: Sweatt was black, Fisher is white.

FULL STORY

Filed under: Justice • U.S.
soundoff (5 Responses)
  1. francois2012

    OK

    October 8, 2012 at 7:20 am | Report abuse |
  2. Darren

    Race shouldnt be used to get into college, anyone should be able to apply,no matter what race.

    October 9, 2012 at 3:54 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Yvette

    I think that race shouldn't matter and being able to get in college should be based on skill and level of knowledge.

    October 9, 2012 at 5:27 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Josephine

    I think that anybody should be able to apply for college because on person can be as smart or smarter than the next person.

    October 9, 2012 at 5:29 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Angelo

    I think it just depends on the university that you attend, But I still think that it should not matter it should just be by you intelligence.

    October 9, 2012 at 9:46 pm | Report abuse |
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