Overview
This podcast episode revisits and updates the story of Edward Blum, a key activist challenging race-based policies through the US legal system, focusing on his latest lawsuits targeting affirmative action in university admissions.
Edward Blum’s Background and Motivation
- Blum was raised in a liberal household but gradually shifted to conservative beliefs through exposure to neoconservative ideas.
- His involvement in politics began after noticing a lack of Republican candidates in his Houston district, prompting an unsuccessful congressional run.
- During his campaign, he observed racially gerrymandered districts, which led him to challenge the constitutionality of redistricting.
Legal Campaigns Against Race-Based Policies
- Blum filed and won a Supreme Court case against Texas’s racially gerrymandered districts, beginning his career as a legal activist.
- He helped initiate numerous lawsuits targeting race-based policies in congressional redistricting, school admissions, and city contracting.
- His most significant victory was the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder case, which struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
Shift to Affirmative Action in Education
- After Shelby County, Blum targeted affirmative action in university admissions, notably with the Fisher v. University of Texas case, which he lost.
- He then founded Students for Fair Admissions to challenge Harvard and UNC, alleging discrimination against Asian American applicants.
Recent Lawsuits and Strategies
- Blum actively recruited plaintiffs through targeted websites and ensured their anonymity to protect them from potential harassment.
- The Harvard case focuses on alleged penalties for high-achieving Asian American students, citing stagnant admission percentages despite increased applications.
- He advocates ending race-based preferences in favor of socioeconomic-based admissions criteria.
Arguments and Counterpoints
- Blum claims that ending racial preferences will reduce white admissions and increase Asian American representation.
- He argues that legacy and donor preferences should also be abolished, supporting broader access for disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Critics highlight weaknesses in his data sources and the broader societal implications of removing affirmative action.
Decisions
- Continue challenging race-based admissions using Students for Fair Admissions.
- Recruit only Asian American plaintiffs for the Harvard lawsuit due to their alleged disadvantage.
Action Items
- TBD – Edward Blum/Students for Fair Admissions: Proceed with current lawsuits against Harvard, UNC, and potentially other universities.
- TBD – Podcast Team: Provide follow-up materials and updates on the lawsuits on the show website.