In response to the Supreme Court’s decision today striking down affirmative action programs at colleges and universities across the country, Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of ZERO TO THREE, issued the following statement:
“I’m deeply disappointed by today’s Supreme Court ruling, which will have a profoundly negative impact on the infants and toddlers we fight for every day. We know that when babies and their families receive care from diverse, well-qualified professionals, they’re more likely to thrive and get the healthy, strong start that all children deserve. Infants and toddlers have a stronger foundation for success when they are cared for by doctors and specialists who look like them. The impact of today’s ruling will make it harder for higher education institutions to recruit, admit and support the kind of racially diverse student body that leads to a racially diverse workforce.
Medical schools, for instance, have struggled to admit more Black, Latino, and Indigenous students, and that has a direct impact on the quality of care being provided to some of the infants and toddlers most in need of our support. Today’s ruling will only further exacerbate those issues.
In addition, this ruling will likely deepen the already stark racial disparities between babies whose parents have access to a college education and those who don’t.
ZERO TO THREE is committed to equality across the playing field during the first critical years of life and ensuring all children have the supports they need to thrive – that obligation doesn’t end at 36 months. Today’s ruling will make it more difficult for infants and toddlers to grow up in a fair and equitable country.
With the power and influence of our collective voices, we will continue doing the necessary work to promote just, equitable, and anti-racist systems, practices, and polices to create lasting, transformative change for children, their families and our nation’s future.”
