My Journal

Photo by Isa Montes

Anti-affirmative action group, Equal Protection Project, filed a civil rights complaint last Wednesday targeting Santa Clara University’s Black Corporate Board Readiness program. This is sparking outrage throughout campus—for good reason. 

Santa Clara University is not the only higher-education institution under fire from the acrimonious group. At least 43 other institutions—including other undergraduate universities, law schools and school districts—have been hit with federal complaints, claiming the institution is discriminating against white students and non-LGBTQ+ students.  

The Equal Protection Project has even linked multiple articles written about them by the universities they are actively targeting on their website. That includes my own article from last week, proudly linked on the front page of their News section. I hope they find this article as riveting as my last.

“The actions of the Equal Protection Project are clearly rooted in white supremacy,” said Igwebuike, Santa Clara University’s black student union, in an email to The Santa Clara. “They reflect a blatant disregard for the systemic racism that is embedded in this country’s history.”

Former President Donald Trump has normalized racism and discrimination to the extent that people feel they can openly petition for the erasure of BIPOC programs in the name of “civil rights.” It is entirely unsurprising—yet nevertheless disappointing—that conservative groups like the Equal Protection Project feel emboldened enough to admit their disdain for empowered Black individuals so brazenly.

These multitude of claims filed by the Equal Protection Project are a desperate attempt by the group to restrict resources benefiting Black students, therefore stunting their growth within corporate America. Why do they feel entitled to the resources expressly set aside to benefit historically oppressed minorities? 

Igwebuike claims that rather than rally support for their racist claims, the Equal Protection Project has instead proven the “necessity of fostering groups and spaces that actively uplift the Black voice and experience.”