Asian Americans and Affirmative Action: A Case Study for Inter-Minority Group Relations and Policy

In 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States effectively ended race-based affirmative action in college admissions with their decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard . Asian Americans were featured prominently in the case and broader discourse, even though a majority (69%) of Asian Americans support such policies. Here, a socio-historical approach helps to understand how Asian Americans have been positioned against affirmative action according to Racial Triangulation Theory and stereotypes rooted in the model minority myth. Two areas of research and theory (privilege and inter-minority group relations) suggest social psychologically informed policy recommendations and areas of advocacy. Ultimately, racial justice and equity can be achieved through an inter-minority group coalition built on an understanding of history, development of critical race consciousness, and informed community engagement.