Something strange happened on Wednesday, when the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas. For about an hour and twenty minutes, seven justices — Justice Kagan recused herself; Justice Thomas was silent, as expected — and three lawyers debated the finer points of affirmative action without even once mentioning racism.

Nor did the words “white privilege” cross anyone’s lips.

Whatever the outcome of the case — in which a young woman, Abigail Fisher, is complaining that she was denied admission to the University of Texas, Austin because she is white — the damage is already done.