Pathways Are of Critical Importance

​Like many of you, at America On Tech we were deeply disheartened by the recent news that the United States Supreme Court has decided to ban affirmative action in colleges. Since the 1960’s, Affirmative Action has been a bedrock policy of the United States’ commitment to reversing the disastrous impact of slavery and segregation that set back the Black community for generations and continue to reverberate today.

For those of us committed to the modern anti-racist movement, this decision is an unequivocal step backwards for our nation where communities of color struggle to achieve equity. At America On Tech we want to make one message abundantly clear: AOT remains unapologetically committed to supporting Black and Latinx youth to ensure they have a fair shot at degrees and careers in technology. We plan to redouble our efforts in light of this news.

A History of Affirmative Action and Why It Matters Today

The roots of affirmative action can be traced back to the civil rights movement of the 1960’s as the country grappled with the seismic impact of another landmark Supreme Court ruling - the 1954 case of Brown vs The Board of Education. This ruling, in theory, dismantled the status quo of “separate but equal” that empowered racist to continue their oppression of people of color long after the abolition of slavery. In reality, however, the immediate post-Brown period did little to reverse the crushing inequality of the era.

Despite racial discrimination being outlawed in name, it remained the de facto norm for many businesses and institutions. Some schools and employers adopted thinly veiled excuses to deny people of color from participating and enrollment rates did not initially see a meaningful shift in support of previously oppressed groups. Harvard, Yale, and Princeton had admitted only 15 Black students out of a combined class of 3,000 as of 1960. Affirmative action policies were essential in reversing this trend. 

Although the situation for people of color has no doubt improved over the past several decades, it is imperative to remember that hundreds of years of slavery and discrimination have resulted in opportunity gaps and racial wealth gaps that are not so easily reversed. Affirmative action has been an effective policy in dismantling centuries of racial and economic injustices.

How this Decision Will impact Students of Color

While some may dismiss concerns over the banning of affirmative action as hyperbolic, history has shown that there is sufficient cause for alarm. A 2013 Harvard study of 4 states that repealed workplace affirmative action over a 19 year period saw significant declines in diversity compared to states where it remained. It is not unreasonable to expect a similar impact trajectory in colleges and universities nationwide following this decision.

In the coming weeks, months, and years, this decision is expected to have catastrophic effects. A study by Georgetown University projects that maintaining or exceeding existing levels of representation without race-conscious admissions would require a complete transformation of the admissions system. Those impacted are predicted to see less wealth creation and lower wages over their lifetimes. In an era where the cost of living continues to rise and wages stagnate, the impact this may have is devastating to communities of color.

Where Do We Go From Here?

In light of the continued erosion of institutional support for communities of color, the task faced by community organizations such as AOT becomes greater by the day. If there will be limited pathways for Black and Latinx students to enter higher education institutions and career pathways then our work becomes more important now than ever before. AOT vows to continue to work tirelessly to end the cycle of poverty faced by Black and Latinx communities and as the enormity of our job grows, so too does our need for support from our community. 

AOT envisions a world where young people of color across the country have equitable access to compete fairly for opportunities in the technology sector, one that we fully believe is achievable with the backing of our friends, partners, advocates and allies. Here are just a few of the ways you can support our vital work in the months and years to come:

• Donate to our cause and help fund the critical educational opportunities we provide to the young people who need it the most.
• Volunteer your time and expertise as a mentor for the next generation of Black and Latinx professionals.
• Partner with us on an organizational level by bringing your company into the fold to aid in running professional development workshops, creating curriculum for our students, and hiring our graduates as interns or full time staff. Contact AOT National Director of Development Stan Smith for more information.
• Advocate for America On Tech to your friends, family, and coworkers. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram and spread the word about our mission and help us grow our network of support for our students.

As always, we urge you, the AOT community, to join us as we work to shepherd the next generation of Black and Latinx technologists in an era where our work is more vital than ever before. Real change is possible, and we can achieve it together.

Sincerely,

Jessica Santana and Evin Floyd Robinson
Co-Founders of America On Tech