The U.S. Supreme Court is one of the most powerful institutions in American democracy, tasked with interpreting the Constitution and determining the legal landscape of the nation. Through its rulings, the Court has shaped not only the laws of the land but also the very fabric of American society. Some of its decisions, particularly on contentious issues like affirmative action, reproductive rights, and other critical social matters, have sparked widespread debate, reshaped public policy, and even altered the course of history.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the Supreme Court’s most significant rulings in recent years, examining their impact on civil rights, social justice, and the legal environment in the United States.
Affirmative Action: The Debate Over Diversity and Equal Opportunity
Affirmative action has been a central issue in American law for decades, particularly in the context of higher education admissions and employment practices. The central question: how can policies balance diversity and racial equality while avoiding discrimination based on race? The Supreme Court’s rulings on affirmative action have played a pivotal role in determining how race can be considered in these contexts.
Fisher v. University of Texas (2013) and (2016)
In the case of Fisher v. University of Texas (2013 and 2016), the Supreme Court examined whether the University of Texas’s affirmative action policy— which considered race as one factor in the admissions process—was constitutional. The Court upheld the use of race as a factor in university admissions, with Justice Anthony Kennedy writing that universities have a compelling interest in achieving a diverse student body. However, the ruling also emphasized that such policies must be narrowly tailored and subject to strict scrutiny to ensure they are necessary and effective in achieving diversity.
This decision was significant in preserving the constitutionality of affirmative action in college admissions while stressing that race-based policies must meet strict standards of review to avoid violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University (2023)
In one of the most closely watched rulings on affirmative action, the Supreme Court ruled in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University (2023) to end race-based admissions policies at colleges and universities. This decision marked a major shift in the Court’s stance on affirmative action, with the conservative majority concluding that considering race as a factor in admissions violated the Equal Protection Clause.
The decision effectively overturned decades of precedent that allowed universities to use race as one factor among many in their admissions process, signaling a significant change in how higher education institutions could approach diversity.
While the ruling has been hailed by critics of affirmative action as a victory for merit-based admissions, it has sparked significant backlash from advocates for racial diversity and equality, who argue that it undermines efforts to correct historic racial inequities in education.
Reproductive Rights: The Struggle for Bodily Autonomy
Reproductive rights, particularly the right to access abortion services, have been one of the most divisive issues in U.S. legal history. The Supreme Court has been at the center of this debate for decades, with its rulings shaping the legal landscape of reproductive healthcare.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
In Roe v. Wade (1973), the Supreme Court recognized a woman’s constitutional right to choose to have an abortion, ruling that the right to privacy under the 14th Amendment extended to a woman’s decision to terminate a pregnancy. The decision legalized abortion nationwide and was seen as a landmark victory for women’s rights and reproductive freedom.
Over the years, Roe v. Wade became a cornerstone of American reproductive rights law, though it was frequently challenged, and the Court’s composition continued to shift with political changes, influencing the future of abortion rights.
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)
In a historic and controversial decision, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022), ruling that there is no constitutional right to abortion. The case involved a challenge to Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, and in a 6-3 decision, the Court’s conservative majority ruled that abortion laws should be determined by individual states, rather than the federal government.
This ruling ended nearly 50 years of federal protection for abortion rights and allowed states to enact their own laws regulating or banning abortion. As a result, several states passed restrictive abortion laws, while others enacted protections for abortion access. The decision sparked nationwide protests, reigniting the debate over reproductive rights and the future of abortion access in the U.S.
While some argue that the ruling restores the right of states to govern themselves, others view it as a devastating blow to women’s rights and bodily autonomy.
Voting Rights: Ensuring Equal Access to the Ballot
Voting rights have long been a critical issue in American civil rights law. The Supreme Court’s rulings on voting laws and the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) have shaped the access to and fairness of elections across the country.
Shelby County v. Holder (2013)
In Shelby County v. Holder (2013), the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965, which required certain states and local governments with a history of racial discrimination in voting to obtain federal approval before changing their voting laws (known as “preclearance”). The Court ruled that the formula used to determine which jurisdictions were subject to preclearance was outdated and unconstitutional.
This ruling effectively weakened the VRA, leading to concerns that it would pave the way for discriminatory voting laws to be enacted, particularly voter ID laws and changes to polling locations in historically disenfranchised communities. Since then, several states have passed voting restrictions, prompting renewed calls for federal legislation to protect voting rights.
Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021)
In Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021), the Court ruled that certain Arizona voting laws, such as limiting absentee ballot collection and restricting out-of-precinct voting, did not violate the Voting Rights Act. The decision was seen as another setback for voting rights advocates, as it made it harder to challenge laws that disproportionately impact minority voters.
While these rulings represent significant steps back in voting rights protections, there is ongoing work at the state and federal level to safeguard equal access to the ballot.
Other Critical Supreme Court Rulings
Beyond affirmative action, reproductive rights, and voting laws, the Supreme Court has issued rulings on a range of other critical issues that have had profound impacts on American society:
Same-Sex Marriage: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)
In Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees the right to marry for same-sex couples. The decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, a landmark victory for LGBTQ+ rights.