Reflection of Bakke Vs. Board

     Bakke vs. Board was a very tense case. There were so many different variables and views that played into the case. One of the points that stood to me was a point that someone made saying - having better grades then your competitor should be the deciding factor of getting into school, and not race. This statement relates more to current time rather then the time if Bakke vs. Board. But it is still relevant and is still an important question to ask. During the time of Bakke vs. Board, Bakke was a white man applying for college in California and he had the grades to get in as well as all of the other credentials. He was rejected twice because the college only admitted a certain number of white students and a certain number of black students. During the time, California was trying to desegregate college and make it possible for black people to get a higher education. Bakke argued under the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment and said that he was being discriminated against.

    This was a huge racial accomplishment and it was closing the racial gap and treatment of black people in the modern world and in the world of education. In 1978, it was hard for black people to further their education because colleges were dominated by white people. Because of this, there was a huge gap between white and black people in society. White people had an easier time furthering their education, getting better jobs, and moving forward in the world. Black people had a harder time getting into college and moving up the social pyramid. California was very progressive by making rules allowing black students into their college and using Affirmative Action. While this was a huge step for black people everywhere, it caused huge issues among white citizens. Bakke won the case, and because of this race is still talked about in college admissions today. It is a huge argument today in college admissions. There is an argument happening with UNC about asian admissions over other races. Admissions should be about grades and credentials, not about race. In 1978, I could see why race would be a deciding factor in admissions but in 2022 grades should be the only deciding factor.