The ‘Infamous 96’ Know Firsthand What Happens When Affirmative Action Is Banned -TIME
Affirmative action, Diversité et inclusion, Espace privé et espace public, Faire société, Représentations
Published in July 2023 by TIME MAGAZINE
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Brief Overview
In 2006, UCLA admitted just 96 Black freshmen, ten years after California banned affirmative action with Proposition 209. The experiences of these students, known as the “Infamous 96,” highlight the significant impact of the ban on diversity and student life at one of California’s flagship universities.
Highlights
Affirmative Action Ban:
- Proposition 209, passed in 1996, banned race consideration in California’s college admissions, significantly reducing Black and Latino student enrollment.
Corey Matthews’ Journey:
- Corey Matthews, one of the 96 Black freshmen, navigated a challenging campus climate and became involved in student activism.
Activism and Advocacy:
- The low number of Black students sparked renewed activism to recruit, admit, and retain more Black and Latino students.
Holistic Admissions:
- Advocacy for holistic admissions, considering more than test scores, gained traction and was eventually adopted by UCLA in 2007 and system-wide in 2020.
Long-Term Impact:
- Research showed the ban led to lower graduation rates and early career earnings for minority students, and created a two-tier higher education system.
Personal Experiences:
- The Black students faced isolation, microaggressions, and a challenging campus climate, often questioning their place at the university.
Ongoing Debate:
- The national debate on affirmative action continues, with recent Supreme Court rulings mirroring California’s earlier decision, emphasizing the need to monitor campus climate and student treatment.
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