A defeat for race-based school assignments
As expected, but with Justice Kennedy in control one must always hold one's breath, the Supreme Court has invalidated two school integration plans that considered students' race in school assignment decisions. The vote was 5-4, and Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion. Kennedy produced a concurring opinion.
I'm tied up now, but hope to comment later in the day.
UPDATE by JOHN: I haven't had time to read the opinion, but readers are discussing it at the Forum, here.
One poster writes:
You gotta love the clarity of CJ Roberts. Here’s the sound bite quote from the majority opinion:“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.”
That's a revolutionary idea. I mean, seriously.
ONE MORE: Another quote, this time from Justice Thomas:
Great line from Justice Thomas is worth noting (also nuking Breyer’s opinion): “Indeed, if our history has taught us anything, it has taught us to beware of elites bearing racial theories.” (comparing Breyer’s positions with those of the segregationists in Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown, and citing Dred Scott to boot). Ouch.
