PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Affirmative Action discriminates. Using race, not grades, for law schools.

G-Benz · #3 10-01-2008, 05:01 PM

I believe the initial goal of affirmative action was to allow underprivileged, but driven minorities access to higher education that wouldn't traditionally be available if academic performance across racial boundaries were unweighted.

Consider an example case history of a typical suburban white student, who would have access to an exemplarary school system, complete with dedicated instructors, regular test coaching and such, increasing his chances for academic success. This student would be prepared for college with a solid GPA and high SAT or ACT test scores.

Flash over to an extreme case...an underpriviledged minority who, although has the desire to excel (and does), has limited to no access to the types of advantages that allow that student to excel in the admission exams. Couple that with grades, while superior, were attained in classes where the instructors may not have been motivated to do more that herd students in and out of the room, or worse yet, spend so much time with disciplinary issues that the ones who actual turn in work, get high marks.

Nevertheless, someone recognizes that the student aspires to go to college, and recognizes that while falling short of the pedigree that typical college applicants possess, has the determination to succeed...enter AA.

But like every human assistance program (especially welfare), it has its abusers. Many will say that this system was developed shortly after the "Jim Crow" era when it was viable, and those days are long gone. That is probably true. Also consider that the above case is no longer typical of minorities, and many have mainstreamed into suburban America, having access to the same types of advantages for success that white students enjoy.

But yeah, like others posted, my grades and test scores were exemplary, so there was no need to be considered for admission under a quota. Fortunately, my college days are long behind me, so I don't have to defend my college opportunity, or my credentials for admission.

Should AA be removed? Probably. But mostly it should be revised, so that the pendulum doesn't swing too far the other way (as it seems to have done if you are a white candidate)...whereas candidates who fall short of standards (regardless of race) but are willing to succeed are considered on a case-by-case basis.