3 SCOTUS rulings; no match for Texans
Texas communities protect young people in a time of adversity
By Crystal Zamarron, Digital Manager for Deeds Not Words
The Supreme Court of the United States removes more LGBTQIA+ rights, strikes down affirmative action, and rules against student loan debt forgiveness. In this heat wave?! Within 24 hours, all three SCOTUS decisions have put young people’s lives in jeopardy. What does this mean for Texans? We fight and depend on our own communities, that’s what.
In July 2012, Colorado couple, Charlie Craig and David Mullins went shopping for a wedding cake. They were denied service. Later, the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case was ruled in favor of the cakeshop owner. However, in 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states. In 2018, SCOTUS reversed the decision on the case. Lots of back-and-forth decisions by the law but the care that our communities had never faltered throughout these years. Personally, after the case went viral, support for cakeshops that did cater to same-sex couples succeeded! We showed up by getting in line and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Bonus: sweet treats! As for the SCOTUS ruling, website design looks better when it comes from a creator that understands you.
Did you hear that Hispanics make up 40.2% of Texas’ population? Making Latinos the leading population in the state. This is great news for Texas diversity! Though, Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of color are no strangers to the disadvantages we face in white supremacy and unfair systems. This SCOTUS ruling on removing affirmative action will harm BIPOC young people in Texas. However, we can only hope that our deep roots of diversity and equality can continue to thrive. We must demand to have our schools consider young people and their race, income, and where they grew up. The U.S. has placed many efforts to ensure all students have the opportunity to access higher education. This will not stop us from growing forward!
Changemaker pro-tip: Urge your schools to release a statement on where they stand. Start by sending an email to your schoolteacher, principal, or school board member. Make your voice heard!
The Biden administration promised to forgive $400 billion in federal student loan debt. However, on Thursday, June 29, 2023, SCOTUS ruled against it. The Biden administration has already started to begin working towards a new plan. While no tangible promises have been made at a national and state level. At the local level, we are working hard to ensure young people receive college affordability without the lasting burden of significant student debt. Our changemakers are keeping up with their school programs and policies on ensuring everyone has an educational journey where they can make their dreams come true.
Three SCOTUS rulings are no match for young Texans! We will continue to work together to dismantle the barriers of white supremacy and patriarchal norms in the interpersonal and institutional systems we face. We are stronger together!
