Legal group files complaint against UC Berkeley over segregated graduation.
A Legal Group Files Civil Rights Complaint Against UC Berkeley
A Colorado-based legal group has taken action against the University of California Berkeley (Berkeley) for organizing a segregated graduation ceremony in May.
The Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF) has filed an administrative complaint with the Department of Education, accusing the university of violating the Civil Rights Act.
In May, Berkeley held its annual Black Graduation ceremony exclusively for African American students. The university defended the event, stating that it aligns with their commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
“Berkeley’s Black Graduation serves as a celebration of our Black students’ achievements, their resilience, and the rich cultural heritage they bring to our community,” the school said.
Will Trachman, the general counsel for MSLF, expressed his concerns about the exclusivity of the event. He stated, “Both the title of the event and all the materials and speakers at the event are talking exclusively to black students.”
A report by the National Association of Scholars (NAS) found that 125 colleges have been conducting segregated graduation ceremonies in the name of racial justice. The Trump administration issued a webinar guidance reminding educators that segregation in school settings is unconstitutional.
However, President Joe Biden rescinded the directive with executive order 13895, titled “On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.”
Despite this, Trachman remains optimistic about the complaint filed against Berkeley, believing that even the Biden administration will have to pay attention to it.
Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. He has also written for The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. His work has also been featured in Real Clear Politics and Fox News. Tristan graduated from George Washington University where he majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.
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