Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Against Race-Based College Grant Program

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has invalidated a grant program intended to assist minority students, deeming it discriminatory. This ruling came on a Thursday and has drawn from earlier U.S. Supreme Court cases regarding race-focused admission strategies at institutions like Harvard and the University of North Carolina.

The court’s statement underscored that the Constitution mandates treatment based on individual experiences rather than race. The grant program specifically aimed to support black, Hispanic, and Native American students, in addition to immigrants from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam who settled in the U.S. after 1975.

In defense, Assistant Attorney General Charlotte Gibson contended that the state’s plan was compliant with judicial guidelines, but the court disagreed. Chief Judge Jill Karofsky raised the issue by referencing previous comments made by President Donald Trump that many perceived as racist.

She pointed out, “Just last week, the President of the United States posted a grossly insane and racist video depicting President Obama and Michelle Obama as monkeys.” Karofsky stressed the significant contributions of people of color to the state, highlighting ongoing disparities in housing, healthcare, and education.

Luke Berg, representing the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Freedom, responded that the real discrimination occurs when laws treat individuals differently based on their race.

Dan Lennington, the institute’s executive vice president, lauded the ruling as a significant victory for students, asserting that race should not factor into scholarship awards or other forms of financial aid. He added, “This is a significant win for taxpayers, who can now challenge many other race-based programs in state courts.”