he Scale +62 MCCA WEIGHS IN ON THE NEWS The Future of America Is Diverse
T e population decrease of white children was off set by the growth of young Asian and Hispanic Americans, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. T e number of non-Hispanic whites fell in 46 states and 86 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas. In 10 states, white children are now a minority among their peers, includ- ing six that tipped between 2000 and 2010. Other states will join the trend: In 23 states, minorities make up more than 40 percent of the child population. T e birth rates of African American and Native American children also fell, but by a much smaller degree than white children. T e data show the extent to which the United States has become dependent on minorities—Hispanics in particu- lar—for the next generation of Americans. +2
Diversity Doesn’t Factor into Law School Rankings
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Diversity is not a factor in U.S. News & World Report’s law school rankings. Doing so would create a solid incentive for law schools to bolster diversity eff orts. Critics say that the U.S. News rankings have a negative impact on diversity because of the weight placed on criteria such as median LSAT scores, since minorities on average score lower on standardized tests. Researchers have found the preference for students with high LSAT scores has led schools to increase merit-based scholarships at the expense of need-based ones. -3
Obama Administration Won’t Defend Defense of Marriage Act
T e Obama administration will no longer defend the federal law that bans the rec- ognition of same-sex marriage because it considers the legislation unconstitutional. T e 1996 Defense of Marriage Act defi nes marriage as between a man and a woman and denies marriage-based federal benefi ts to same-sex married couples. After an extensive review, the administration found the law’s key section unconstitutional. T e change in position, however, is more symbolic than legal. Although the admin- istration will no longer defend the law, any member of Congress may do so. +1
Elite Colleges Still Aren’t Diverse
How many Harvard students come from the bottom 50 percent of income distri- bution? 50 percent? Lower. Much lower. Only 6.5 percent come from the bottom half of the income distribution. William Bowen, an economist, found that elite colleges give zero credit in the applications process to students from low-income families. All else equal, a poor student who scored equally as an affl uent student had no better chance of being admitted—despite all the advantages the affl uent student had. -2
THIS ISSUE’S READING: -5 LAST ISSUE: +67 DIVERSITY & THE BAR® MAY/JUNE 2011
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“Glee” and “Modern Family” Share
Diversity Award Untraditional families are being portrayed on network television—and drawing huge audiences. T e 22nd annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, recognized “Glee” and “Modern Family” for breaking down gender barriers and portraying mixed race and gay marriages with humorous yet sincere characters. T e shows are on mainstream television and represent a shift toward understanding more diverse people and families. +1
Radicalization Hearings a ‘Low Point’ for America
U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-NY), the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, held a congressional hearing to address homegrown Islamic terrorism. T e hearing brought to mind historical injustices like McCarthyism and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. At their best, the hearing off ered a place for Muslim Americans to further coop- erate with detractors. -4
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