The Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina has sparked debate over the concept of meritocracy in American education. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. argued that race-conscious admissions policies demean the dignity and worth of individuals by judging them based on ancestry instead of merit. However, the focus should shift to a more pressing question: Why is there only one golden goose of opportunity?

The emphasis on meritocracy as the solution to social inequality in America has pushed politicians to promote educational attainment as the pathway to success. But this approach fails to address the systemic issues that limit access to prestigious institutions for marginalized communities.

The ruling leaves universities searching for alternative admissions strategies. One potential response is eliminating "legacy" admissions policies and merit scholarships, which often favor wealthy white applicants. Another approach would be to increase outreach efforts to well-qualified minority applicants. However, institutions like the University of Michigan, which had to abandon affirmative action due to state restrictions in 2006, argue that these methods are ineffective.

Instead of focusing on who gets access to opportunity, the question should be why opportunities are limited in the first place. The ruling against affirmative action policies only scratches the surface of a much deeper problem in American society.