We Won't Go Back: Making the Case for Affirmative Action

Mari Matsuda's We Won't Go Back: Making the Case for Affirmative Action presents a defense of affirmative action policies in American institutions. The book combines legal analysis, historical context, and personal narratives to examine the role of race-conscious programs in education and employment. Through interviews and case studies, Matsuda documents the experiences of students and workers who have been impacted by affirmative action policies. She analyzes Supreme Court decisions and legislative history to trace the development of these programs and the ongoing legal challenges they face. The text explores arguments both for and against affirmative action, addressing common criticisms and misconceptions about how these policies work in practice. Matsuda draws on her background as a legal scholar and activist to examine the intersection of race, class, and opportunity in American society. The book contributes to broader discussions about equality, institutional racism, and the meaning of merit in contemporary America. Its analysis of power structures and access to opportunity remains relevant to current debates about diversity and inclusion in American institutions.

This book appears to have very limited reader reviews available online. Only 2 ratings exist on Goodreads (3.5/5 average), with no written reviews. No reviews appear on Amazon. Readers who responded positively noted Matsuda's detailed analysis of Supreme Court cases and clear explanations of complex legal concepts around affirmative action. One reader highlighted the book's thorough documentation and research. Critics found the writing style academic and dense. A reader on Google Books noted the book "preaches to the choir" rather than making arguments that could persuade those skeptical of affirmative action. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (2 ratings) Amazon: No ratings Library Thing: No ratings The lack of reviews suggests this academic text may have had limited reach beyond legal scholars and those already studying affirmative action policy.

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🔸 Mari Matsuda became the first tenured female Asian American law professor in the United States when she joined the UCLA School of Law faculty in 1998. 🔸 The book was published in 1997 during a pivotal time when California's Proposition 209, which prohibited public institutions from considering race in admissions, had just passed. 🔸 Matsuda co-authored the book with Charles R. Lawrence III, her husband and fellow legal scholar, who is also known for his groundbreaking work on implicit bias and racism. 🔸 The book draws heavily on Critical Race Theory, a legal framework that Matsuda helped develop alongside scholars like Derrick Bell and Kimberlé Crenshaw in the 1980s. 🔸 Many of the arguments presented in the book were influenced by Matsuda's experiences as a third-generation Japanese American whose parents were affected by World War II internment policies.