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Despite Debate, New Data Shows Most Americans Support Affirmative Action

Last week, when Michigan’s affirmative action ban was upheld by the Supreme Court a strong divide was made between those who support the decision and those who don’t.

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Despite controversy surrounding the topic, new data released by the PEW Research Center

finds that 63% of Americans strongly support affirmative action programs and believe that they’re needed to help increase diversity. According to the data, 84% of African Americans believe that affirmative action is a good thing, with 80% of Hispanics and 55% of whites also showing support. In terms of political party breakdown, 78% of Democrats are in favor of the program, compared to 43%  of Republicans.

RELATED: Michigan’s Affirmative Action Ban Upheld by The Supreme Court

In response to last Tuesday’s Michigan ruling, CNN reports Justice Sonia Sotomayor expressing her disappointment and saying: “For members of historically marginalized groups, which rely on the federal courts to protect their constitutional rights, the decision can hardly bolster hope for a vision of democracy that preserves for all the right to participate meaningfully and equally in self-government.”

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