Unsettling Truth Behind a Black Shibboleth

In 1991, Black law professor Stephen L. Carter stirred controversy with his book, *Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby*. In the chapter “Silencing Dissent,” Carter highlighted how race-aware affirmative action became a shibboleth—a term rooted in an Old Testament narrative. In today’s context, this denotes a test to identify genuine group members. Carter criticized the expectation for Black voices to champion affirmative action as merely justice, warning dissenters would face ostracism from their community. The U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 ruling dismantled affirmative action, challenging established norms within Black America. Consequently, new shibboleths are emerging, as seen when preacher Philip Anthony Mitchell faced backlash for his comments on authority and police violence, emphasizing a broader discourse about accountability within complex societal issues.