Gaetz slams notion black people need affirmative action to succeed as ‘racist’

CRESTVIEW, Fla. (FLV) – Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., slammed affirmative action as an “unconstitutional” policy in a response statement to the Supreme Court overturning the college admissions practice Thursday.

The court ruled that accepting or denying students on the basis of race over academic integrity goes against the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment.

“Artificial diversity and race-based college admission regimes have been usurped; meritocracy is once again king,” he said. “Equal protection under the law is one of our most sacred principles. Today, we have returned to this principle.”

Florida Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book disagrees with Gaetz, saying that the ruling does not reflect America’s values.

“Discrimination should never be legalized! This is a dangerous decision by SCOTUS,” she said.

Gaetz believes that the existence of affirmative action is discriminatory because it allows colleges and universities to accept students on the basis of race and gender instead of academics.

The congressman also strongly disagreed with the “racist allegation” that minorities would not be able to succeed in a merit-based system.

“A nation is measured not by its commitment to fanciful ideals but its commitment to its people,” the representative said. “The Supreme Court has delivered the American people a great victory; now let us enforce it.”