The issue focused on the use of the term "black" and the lack of an explicit definition. The ruling noted that, while blacks are defined by the U.S. government, blacks are not defined as white in the Constitution's language, but that a court should give equal treatment to all races.

In other language, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said there is an "unprecedented" need for legislation to address the racial imbalance in the criminal justice system, saying it is a problem of law