The UCLA Civil Rights Project: A Quarter Century of Championing Equality

Introduction

The UCLA Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles (CRP) stands as a pivotal force in the ongoing pursuit of civil rights and equal opportunity in the United States. Founded in 1996 at Harvard University and later moving to UCLA in 2007, the CRP has dedicated itself to producing cutting-edge research, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and informing policy decisions that address issues of inequality and discrimination. This article explores the origins, evolution, and impact of the CRP, highlighting its contributions to understanding and addressing the complex challenges facing a rapidly changing society.

Genesis and Early Years: Harvard Civil Rights Project

The seeds of the Civil Rights Project were sown in the spring of 1996 during a session at the Harvard Graduate School of Education's higher education program. The discussion centered on the impending challenges to affirmative action in California and Texas. Gary Orfield, along with Christopher Edley, then a professor at Harvard Law School and working on affirmative action in the White House for President Clinton, spearheaded the effort to address this threat.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Orfield and Edley invited college presidents, civil rights leaders, and leading researchers to an emergency meeting at Harvard. Despite the short notice and busy schedules, 25 college presidents from major universities, directors of federal civil rights agencies, and prominent researchers attended.

This meeting revealed a critical disconnect: civil rights enforcement officials, lawyers, and researchers were not communicating effectively or sharing information. Furthermore, there was a lack of a coordinated plan to address the potential dismantling of affirmative action. College leaders lacked alternative strategies ("Plan B") and often possessed insufficient knowledge of the relevant laws. Many private college presidents, for instance, mistakenly believed that Supreme Court decisions would not affect them, failing to recognize the implications of receiving federal aid money. Researchers, on the other hand, were often focused on other issues, such as the challenges faced by minority students in interracial schools, rather than gathering evidence on the broader benefits of interracial schools for all students.

The meeting concluded with the realization that there was a significant lack of basic information about how affirmative action was functioning in the United States. It became clear that there was a need to bridge the gap between research on law and civil rights and research on racial equity.

Following the meeting, Orfield and Edley began exploring the possibility of establishing a center dedicated to this purpose. With a small grant from the MacArthur Foundation, the Harvard Civil Rights Project was launched. Michal Kurlaender, the first staff member, played a crucial role in organizing conferences and driving the project forward. Early conferences focused on alternatives to affirmative action and the growing issue of school segregation. These events attracted significant interest and participation from legal and academic professionals, highlighting the need for collaborative research to address these critical issues.

Transition and Expansion: UCLA Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles

In 2007, the Civil Rights Project transitioned to UCLA, becoming the Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles under the co-direction of Gary Orfield and Patricia Gándara. This move marked a new chapter for the CRP, allowing it to expand its reach and impact on the West Coast and beyond.

The CRP's core mission remained the same: to produce new understandings of challenges and research-based evidence on solutions to inequality and discrimination. However, the move to UCLA provided new opportunities to engage with diverse communities and address emerging civil rights issues.

Key Areas of Focus and Research

The UCLA Civil Rights Project has consistently addressed pressing civil rights issues through rigorous research and analysis. Some of the key areas of focus include:

School Segregation and Resegregation

One of the CRP's most enduring concerns has been the issue of school segregation. The Project has extensively documented the persistence and re-emergence of segregation in American schools, highlighting the detrimental effects on students, particularly Black and Latino students.

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The CRP's research has shown that the high point of integration for Black students occurred in the 1980s, but that there has been a steady resegregation since the Rehnquist Supreme Court changed desegregation policy with the Dowell decision in 1991. The Supreme Court also recognized the desegregation rights of Latino students in 1973 but there was little enforcement. Seventy years later the school integration that came with the civil rights movement continues to be dismantled.

The report shows that major gains for Blacks occurred in all Southern states after the Civil Rights Act was enforced. At its high point in the 1980s, 43% of Black Southern students attended majority white schools, up from 0% when Brown was decided in 1954. Now the percentage is down to 16%. Segregation today is highest in our nation’s big cities where Black and Latino students attend schools with an average of more than 80% nonwhite classmates. Major sectors of suburbia are changing fast and have serious segregation. Over the last 30 years, the proportion of schools that were intensely segregated (with zero to 10% whites) has nearly tripled, rising from 7.4% to 20%. A large body of research shows that such schools typically lack key resources and have much weaker outcomes for students. White and Asian students attend middle-class schools at much higher proportions. Moreover, the data show that the declining share of white students in the nation’s schools are less isolated from nonwhite students than in the past. School choice policies have contributed to the resegregation of the nation’s schools.

The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education

The CRP's work is deeply rooted in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision of 1954, which declared state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The Project has consistently examined the long-term impact of Brown, assessing the progress made and the challenges that remain in achieving truly integrated and equitable schools.

Educational Opportunity and Equity

The CRP is committed to promoting educational opportunity and equity for all students, particularly those from underserved communities. The Project's research explores the factors that contribute to academic disparities and identifies strategies for closing achievement gaps.

Impact and Influence

The UCLA Civil Rights Project has had a significant impact on policy debates, legal cases, and public understanding of civil rights issues. Its research has been cited in court decisions, legislative debates, and media coverage, informing discussions on school desegregation, affirmative action, and educational equity.

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Informing Policy and Practice

The CRP's research has provided valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to address issues of inequality and discrimination. The Project's reports and publications offer evidence-based recommendations for improving educational outcomes, promoting integration, and ensuring equal opportunity for all.

Shaping Legal Discourse

The CRP's work has also played a role in shaping legal discourse on civil rights issues. The Project's research has been used in legal cases, such as Fisher v. University of Texas (2012), to support arguments for or against affirmative action policies.

Raising Public Awareness

Through its publications, media outreach, and public events, the CRP has helped to raise public awareness of critical civil rights issues. The Project's work has been featured in major news outlets, sparking dialogue and debate on issues such as school segregation, racial inequality, and educational opportunity.

Strategic Communication

The CRP recognizes the importance of effective communication in disseminating its research findings and influencing public opinion. The Project has partnered with organizations like The Wakeman Agency to develop and implement strategic communication plans that reach diverse audiences and promote informed dialogue.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

As the UCLA Civil Rights Project embarks on its next quarter century, it faces both significant challenges and exciting opportunities. The nation continues to grapple with issues of racial inequality, economic disparities, and political polarization. At the same time, there is a growing awareness of the need for systemic change and a renewed commitment to advancing civil rights.

Addressing Emerging Challenges

The CRP is committed to addressing emerging challenges such as:

The impact of gentrification on schools and communities
Barriers to racial equity for teachers of color and indigenous teachers
Academic disparities in underserved regions
The potential of integrated classrooms and liberatory pedagogies

Embracing Innovation and Collaboration

To meet these challenges, the CRP is embracing innovation and collaboration. The Project is working with researchers, policymakers, and community organizations to develop new strategies for promoting civil rights and equal opportunity.

Investing in the Next Generation

The CRP recognizes that the future of civil rights depends on investing in the next generation of leaders and advocates. The Project is committed to mentoring young people and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to carry on the fight for justice and equality.

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