he Scale +76 MCCA WEIGHS IN ON THE NEWS U.S. Supreme Court Prepares to Hear
Fischer v. University of Texas T e highest court in the nation is readying for a case that will have profound implications for the diversity and inclusion movement. Abigail Fischer sued the University of Texas four years ago because she was denied admission, saying that her race was held against her. She is white. T e university said Fischer would not have been admitted even if race had played no role in the process, and it questioned whether she suff ered the sort of injury that gives her standing to sue. But the university’s larger defense is that it must be free to assemble a varied student body as part of its academic and societal mission. T e Supreme Court endorsed that view by a 5-to-4 vote in 2003 in Grutter v. Bollinger. Others say the Constitution does not permit the government to sort people by race, no matter how worthy the goals.
EVEN 50
New York Appeals Court Strikes Down Defense of Marriage Act
T e case emanates from Edith Windsor, an 83-year-old lesbian who sued the federal government for charging her more than $363,000 in estate taxes after being denied the benefi t of spousal deductions. T e 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined October 18 that the federal law violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause. T e ruling upholds a similar decision made in a federal appeals court in Boston and provides momentum for those seeking to strike down the law. T e case will probably culminate in a U.S. Supreme Court decision. In February 2012, the Obama administration ordered the Justice Department to stop defending the constitutionality of the law. +3
Women Try to Follow Danica Patrick’s Lead in NASCAR
Nine young women were racing at Langley Speedway in Virginia at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. Each one was competing for the one spot that will be available for a female on the NASCAR-funded Rev Racing team. For many young women, the most diffi cult hurdle is acceptance within the pits of a male- dominated sport. “People say, ‘You’re going to be the next Danica,’ but I don’t want to be the next Danica. I want to run with her,” says Cassie Newhouse. +1
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joshshields@mcca.com. THIS ISSUE’S READING: +4 LAST ISSUE: 72 DIVERSITY & THE BAR® NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012
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Disney Creates a Latina Princess for Newest Character
Disney’s latest princess is the fi rst Latina to join the clique. Sofi a is the fi rst little girl princess, specifi cally aimed for the 2- to 7-year-old set. T e character has blue eyes and golden brown hair—traits that are causing some backlash among Hispanics. Too often, Americans think Latina or Hispanic and think Mexican. T e criticism is reminiscent of Tiana, Disney’s fi rst African American princess. Critics said she wasn’t “dark” enough. People need to recognize diversity beyond stereotypes. +1
Gallaudet University’s Chief Diversity Offi cer Seeks Reinstatement
You might think that a diversity offi cer would support diversity in all its forms. But Angela McCaskill, Gallaudet’s chief diversity offi cer, is in hot water after signing a petition to put same-sex marriage on the ballot in Maryland, after it had been approved by the state’s General Assembly. She says she signed the petition to give Maryland residents a chance to vote on same-sex marriage and to spur a campus-wide dialogue on the issue. She is currently on leave from her position.
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