Reflecting on Ricci v. DeStefano: Affirmative Action and its Status Today
Ricci v. DeStefano was a landmark affirmative action case that originated in New Haven involving the promotion testing and procedures of the New Haven Fire Department.
The case, brought by firefighters, was filed against the City of New Haven and Mayor DeStefano on the basis of race playing an undue factor in the selection process. Ultimately the case was decided by the Supreme Court in favor of Frank Ricci. This forum will examine the impact of the case, and consider the current legal and political state of affirmative action, especially in light of recent Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action in college admissions.
This event will begin with a conversation between Frank Ricci and former Mayor John DeStefano Jr. moderated by Dr. Jonathan Wharton (SCSU). They will discuss the initial case and its resonance over the years. This will be followed, after a short break, by a panel moderated by Dr. Tess Marchant-Shapiro (SCSU) and comprising local legal and academic experts who will speak more broadly about the current state of affirmative action in the United States. A reception with light refreshments will follow the program.
Featured panelists include: United States District Court Judge Victor A Bolden (United States District Judge – CT), Carol Platt Liebau (Yankee Institute), Prof. Tolulope Odunsi-Nelson (Western New England University), and Dr. Julian Madison (SCSU).