When “Reverse Discrimination” Claims Become Weapons Against Justice

This is what backlash looks like: turning anti-discrimination laws into weapons against the very people they were designed to protect.

As expected, the Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of a heterosexual woman who claims to be discriminated against because she's straight.

Title VII prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, (including sexual orientation and gender identity) and national origin. It's infuriating to see laws that were intended to address systemic inequalities being hijacked by people with an anti-equity agenda.

A brief from the NAACP notes that the court should take into consideration Title VII's history and purpose: “The virtual absence of widespread discrimination targeting certain majority groups like white people and straight people is well documented, and it is a relevant and important consideration.”

"Reverse discrimination" is a myth designed to undermine the very protections that were hard-won through decades of struggle. Every ruling like this makes it harder for minoritized people to seek justice when they face real discrimination.

When we allow discrimination laws to be weaponized against marginalized communities, we're creating a smokescreen that lets real oppression continue while those with privilege claim victimhood.

ID: Photo of the Supreme Court by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash