The United States Supreme
Court said last week it will re-hear arguments on a
controversial college admissions policy. The
case involves affirmative
action, the custom of helping groups that have been treated
unfairly in the past. The Supreme Court plans to hear the case of Abigail Fisher
for the second time. Ms. Fisher, a white female, was denied admission to the
University of Texas at Austin in 2008. She says the university’s affirmative
action policy discriminated
against her and other white applicants. Ms. Fisher
took legal action
against the University of Texas. Her case went to the U.S.
Supreme Court in 2013. The court sent the case back to a lower court, which
supported the university.
* Supreme Court = 대법원/
hear = (법정에서) 심리[공판]를 갖다/ controversial = 논란이 많은/ admission(s) policy = 입학 정책/
affirmative action = 차별 철폐 조처/ discriminate against ~ = ~을 차별 대우[냉대]하다/
applicant = 지원자/ take legal action against ~ = ~을 상대로 소송을 제기하다[기소하다]/ lower
court = 하급 법원
In 2003, the Supreme Court
ruled
that schools can consider an applicant’s race as part of their admissions
decisions. The court’s majority said that schools have a “compelling interest” in
having a racially-mixed student population. Michael Yaki is a member of the U.S.
Civil
Rights Commission. He says affirmative action is a good
thing. He says race should not prevent someone from getting into a university.
But he thinks it should be a consideration when
university officials want to create balance in a class. In his words, “Our
nation is stronger when people from diverse cultures and
diverse backgrounds can work, live and study together.” He adds that affirmative
action will “benefit the society and benefit our future.” Supporters say
affirmative action is needed to increase economic and other opportunities for
some minority
groups.
* rule = (공식적으로)
결정[판결]을 내리다/ compelling interest = 설득력 있는[강력한] 관심/ civil rights = 시민의 평등권/
consideration = 고려 사항/ diverse = 다양한/ minority group = 소수
집단[민족]
Affirmative Action Case Returns to the Supreme Court - WTS.mp3