Princeton University Press Doles Out Book Grants Based on Race

Top civil rights lawyers argue that the program is an obvious violation of federal laws.

Princeton University Press offers book development grants that are based on race. This is part of a program. “Black, Indigenous, and People of Color” According to top civil rights lawyers, federal law is infringed upon.

The publisher is independent Princeton University has been the home of the Princeton University since 2021. “Supporting Diverse Voices” initiative that pairs minority authors with “book coaches” They also have people who can help them with book proposals. The first round of grants was awarded to “Woman, transgender, and gender-expansive authors in science and mathematics,” According to the program’s website. The following three rounds were for “BIPOC scholars” In the humanities and social sciences. For minorities in social sciences, a fifth round will be opened on February 1.

Although the publisher refers to these collaborations as “collaborations”, “grants,” They appear to be contracts that are based on the terms and conditions of the program. According to the website, coaching is provided in exchange for participation. “grantees agree to give [Princeton University Press] the right to consider the resulting proposals exclusively, before they are submitted to any other publishers for consideration.” The grants are likely to violate the Civil Rights Act of 1866 that prohibits race discrimination in contracting.

“Absolutely contracts awarded on the basis of race are illegal,” Adam Mortara, lead trial lawyer for plaintiffs, said: Fair Admissions for Students v. HarvardThe Supreme Court case could make affirmative action illegal in higher education. “I’m fairly certain the publisher’s counsel could not possibly have blessed this violation of federal law.”

Three other lawyers—Dan Morenoff at the American Civil Rights Project, David Bernstein at George Mason University law school, and Gail Heriot at the University of San Diego law school—echoed Mortara’s analysis, saying the program was almost certainly illegal.

“It’s as if they think the law no longer applies to them,” Heriot also serves on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. “What worries me is that with the present administration, they may be right.”

Christie Henry (Director of Princeton University Press) declined to comment. He wrote to confirm that the publisher was legally distinct from the university.

The grants are part a parade of race-conscious programs that have been sweeping through the United States ever since 2020. Biden administration denied Pandemic relief funds to white-owned restaurant owners State governments And private hospitals Limited COVID treatments rationed