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Copyright 1977
By Julian Bond
Debate Re Bakke v. Regents

Paschal's Motor Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia
November 29, 1977

Not eveyone who wants to can become a doctor in the United States today. In 1975, 26,367 potential doctors were turned down by American medical schools. One of them was named Alan Bakke.

In a suit that has reached the United States Supreme Court, Bakke charges that he was denied admission at the University of California at Davis solely because of his race.

He charges that a special program for disadvantagd students--begun in 1970--caused the admission of sixteen minority students whose academic qualifications were less than his, and that denial violated his rights under the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution.

The University has answered this charge by arguing that only a race-conscious admissions policy can help overcome the