First for the second time this year. I’m a happy man.
maybe to an extent but not very at that.
well my mum actually wanted to answe this. too bad she isnt here.
actually i think they should first and formost go by grades. its not fair to a straight A student if someone who doesnt try well enough to get in ust because he is white/black etc.
I’ll take second
The Law school I work for does. So that they can brag about how “diverse” they are.
So contrived.
Maybe in terms of financial aid, (scholarships, etc) or else programs to eliminate racism on campus… but beyond that, no.
p.s. – Omg, top 5.
Nope….but only if the admissions officer doesn’t know what race you are.
No. It’s really not that hard to understand… all men were created equal and will remain equal until this world comes to an end. End of story. No questions asked. Period.
- Nicholas
no, I don’t even think they should put the race on the application
NO! People should be admitted by their test scores and that alone!
Nope
While we’re on the subject, ppl should also get raises and promotions based on their WORK performance and not the color of their skin!!!
No, but the elementry schools and High schools in low income ares need to stepit up and give a better education to these things, to equal the playing field. If all things are not equal, how will those kids have a chance. So, for now I guess we have to have affirmative action.
Yeah bc I need some scholarships.
Hey, you ever heard of this argument: Some ppl argue that if reparations are going to be given out, that it should be free education and/or land?
When there are similar candidates they should. But it should be used more to narrow down the applicants.
No. Absolutely no
I hate separating and labeling.
These are PEOPLE. People are people are people are people.
* I’m probably going to get the wrath of xanga but this is true:
In 2002 there was a girl who said all sorts of homosexual jokes, & jokes about her own race they were not appropriate, however she was never punished.
One day a manager hinted about certain ppl being gifted due to their race, he was FIRED the very NEXT day! When I asked why he was fired and not the other person as well, they stated it was hard to fire a person of color…they feared the NAACP and the bad PR.
no.
YES, why not.
I’ll be an idiot and say yes. Even though I prefer that we as a society be colorblind, the fact is, we aren’t. Sad fact, but it’s the truth.
ABSOLUTELY NOT! COlleges and employers and everyone else should base entry solely on ability and performance and other factors that are important to that which it applies.
no of course not
No.
Do they? Yes.
Hell no, that is racist to me.
race doesn’t exist. it was made up by people who have less coloring to their skin so that they could feel better than others. stupid people.
No.
It’s hard enough as is trying to get into a good college and get enough financial aid/scholarships that you don’t get entrenched in loans and bankrupt your family in the process. I’m not against minority students getting scholarships- but they need to do so because they’re smart and have worked hard in high school.
All men are created equal.
No.
If you’re a minority and got higher test scores than a caucasion applicant, hey, more power to you. But its just plain wrong to deny someone admission because they’re white and in their stead they admitted a minority to promote diversity. Um, isn’t that somewhat racist?
yes. go affirmative action! peace max
no
No, because several worthy people are excluded.
No, it should be based on academic achievement, and I say that even if I’m a minority. Personally, I am incredibly against colleges accepting students based on athletics.
I don’t want to ever feel accepted somewhere, let it be to a college or a job or whatever, because of my race. I want to be accepted because I’m good.
Yes
I just think US colleges are way too expensive, even the crappy ones.
No, race has nothing to do with intelligence and higher scores. It’s wrong (no matter what race the person happens to be) if someone with lower scores gets into a school because they happen to be ____ (fill in race here) and someone more qualified gets turned down because they are a different race.
Equality has never been equal.
no.
no, i don’t think they should take sex or race into consideration. like the college that i went to- Girls had to have a 3.7 to be considered and guys only had to have a 3.3 because they needed more guys to be on the sports teams. That sucks! But anyway,I think when you apply your name should be assigned a number, and no one ever sees your name; they only see your number, your grades, and your admission essay
Not even!
no
absolutely not. that discrimination against non minorities i would say. if one person whose white works hard and someone who is, say, asian also works hard, and they get the same GPA and have identical qualifications, why should the person of the minority get a scholarship?
No, I think thats awful.
What is race? I can’t even find a category for my children when I fill out the ethnicity on a form. I have to check “other.” Should people under the category of “other” be given special consideration?
It shouldn’t even be a question on the application. They don’t ask you your race when you apply for a job…what’s so different about school?
nope
NO, and anyone who says yes is retarded. that’s just reverse racism.
Exposure to diverse cultures and points of view is per se educational. So yes, absolutely. Where does the notion that access to education should be based on “merit” come from, anyway? What is “merit”?
Ah, how many things we accept as “true” and “right” without ever questioning them!
no
My school does. They pride themselves in being one of the most diverse schools in the USA.
no. perhaps they should make sure that the admissions officers are racially diversed rather.
no
No but it is.
I believe that universities should be diverse and that they should try to attain diversity, but I also don’t think that the universities themselves should give scholarships to “minorities” just because of their color. If someone is more qualified and has a bigger need, then they should get the scholarship regardless of color. I think that there should be scholarships available for minorities, but they should be specifically for minorities, if that makes sense, and not necessarily university sanctioned.
No
No, but they do. Even if you eliminated a race area on the application, the admissions office can correlate the name, address, religion (any socioeconomic demographic, really) with race. It’s just the way it is, and I don’t know how to correct the problem. I think admissions should be solely based on ability, but at the same time I think campuses need to be diverse so it’s hard to say.
DAN…. IT’S WENDY….
Someone left a message on my site that says “Hey… can you help with my profile?” I clicked on the link, and MY FREAKING SITE WENT DOWN!
The message was from NURGA100. DO NOT go to this site.
Let your readers know… please?????? I’ve already contacted Xanga. Thanks.. Wendy (SouthForkCheerMom)
no, academics should be the only thing on the brain. It’s not a school’s job to be diverse, it’s to educate people. Diversity comes with the territory- your race alone shouldn’t get you in or out of any school.
No.
Here’s my answer (and this coming from a white male) … affirmative action was designed to help give people who had traditionally been excluded from education and jobs a chance. Affirmative action has nothing to do with percentages or quotas, it just says that places must consider all applicants regardless of skin color (or other factors). The way affirmative action is now implemented, might not be the best, but the fact is it’s the only thing we have right now that even TRIES to even the playing field. So YES … colleges and universities should absolutely take race (and socio-economic status and other factors) into consideration. Why doesn’t anyone complain when legacy students get admitted to universities? (that is just because daddy went to Yale and contributes money as an alumni, I have an automatic pass into Yale if i want it) … the only time affirmative action is an issue is when a black person gets in over a white person … It seems that many white people feel somehow ENTITLED to these positions in schools and the work place … and that entitlement reeks of some latent sense of racism and superiority. The argument for meritocracy is completely unjust. Consider the following scenarios: 1) A black student comes from a poor neighborhood without much social support and worked HARD to earn a 3.7 GPA and an above-average score on the SAT (or ACT). The student did all the studying herself and saved up for SAT practice books. The student worked almost full-time in order to support family needs and save up for college. 2) A white student grew up in a family that could afford private tutors for any subjects in which she struggled and she ended up with a 3.9 GPA. She received a fairly high score on the SAT after taking a $1000 SAT prep course and because guidance counselors and teachers at her school spent extra hours working with students for SAT prep. I’m sorry, but just because student #2 had the financial resources to get slightly better scores and grades does NOT mean that student #2 is SO much more deserving of that spot in college. I realize that many white students are in situations where they cannot afford to “buy” an education and many racial minorities do have outstanding resources. This is but ONE example of why we cannot base college admissions SOLELY on stupid numerical measures of success and we MUST take into account other social factors. And since race is still a major barrier in society, i think it’s only fair that college admissions consider that.
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
NO
No. It shouldn’t matter what race you are. It’s like, me going around taking a poll of people’s races and then deciding what friends I have to be “diverse”. It doesn’t work like that. People might call me racist. A college is a college, to teach, no matter what race the people are.
no. while advocating diversity and being fair arent quite the same thing, theyre close… you should simply move the advantage from one race to another in order to achieve diversity. its still preferential treatment.
as in affirmative action? Sure, if it is for indian (from india) kids as well
seriously: nahhh….of course not.
it should be a race to the school. the first 1000 people to cross the finish line get in. for the others, too bad.
ready, on your mark, get set, GO!
both my parents work for a school district, and i can tell you that schools dont strive for diversity for the sake of the students. Having a diverse student body and faculty is good for the schools image, which gives them added protection from bad press, lawsuits, ect. Colleges need to stop worrying about how theyre going to protect their own asses and help the people who need it the most, regardless of what they look like.
no, but they could take economic status into consideration.
no
Sometimes people have so much to say and have formed opinions based on poor or little infomation. But we alL are smart enough to figure who looks like they’ve done their homework and makes the most sence some people could care less and continue to be ignorant for me it was this person that made the most sense:
Here’s my answer (and this coming from a white male) … affirmative action was designed to help give people who had traditionally been excluded from education and jobs a chance. Affirmative action has nothing to do with percentages or quotas, it just says that places must consider all applicants regardless of skin color (or other factors). The way affirmative action is now implemented, might not be the best, but the fact is it’s the only thing we have right now that even TRIES to even the playing field. So YES … colleges and universities should absolutely take race (and socio-economic status and other factors) into consideration. Why doesn’t anyone complain when legacy students get admitted to universities? (that is just because daddy went to Yale and contributes money as an alumni, I have an automatic pass into Yale if i want it) … the only time affirmative action is an issue is when a black person gets in over a white person … It seems that many white people feel somehow ENTITLED to these positions in schools and the work place … and that entitlement reeks of some latent sense of racism and superiority. The argument for meritocracy is completely unjust. Consider the following scenarios: 1) A black student comes from a poor neighborhood without much social support and worked HARD to earn a 3.7 GPA and an above-average score on the SAT (or ACT). The student did all the studying herself and saved up for SAT practice books. The student worked almost full-time in order to support family needs and save up for college. 2) A white student grew up in a family that could afford private tutors for any subjects in which she struggled and she ended up with a 3.9 GPA. She received a fairly high score on the SAT after taking a $1000 SAT prep course and because guidance counselors and teachers at her school spent extra hours working with students for SAT prep. I’m sorry, but just because student #2 had the financial resources to get slightly better scores and grades does NOT mean that student #2 is SO much more deserving of that spot in college. I realize that many white students are in situations where they cannot afford to “buy” an education and many racial minorities do have outstanding resources. This is but ONE example of why we cannot base college admissions SOLELY on stupid numerical measures of success and we MUST take into account other social factors. And since race is still a major barrier in society, i think it’s only fair that college admissions consider that.
Posted 12/30/2005 at 7:49 PM by bqira
Unfortunately some people do not read the other comments before or after their own and so lose out
Thanks BQira FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LEARN THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND FOR SHARING IT
No, I hate when schools do that. ARound here, though, I can see why the idea istempting. My friends attended a high school that was predominantly Chinese…and some of the Bay Area universities are becoming predominantly Asian…but doesn’t that just mean that a lot of Asians live in the Bay Area? :shrugs:
The elementary school I attended had about half Chinese students and half Caucasian…years later, the whole school was Chinese. Maybe NOT the WHOLE school, I didn’t check the roll sheet, but when I went by, I saw only Chinese kids. I wonder what type of environment that sets; will they ever learn what it is to be diverse?
And I say this because many (NOT ALL) Chinese like to stay…homogenous. They like for their children to marry Chinese, etc. How can future generations be open to diversity if they don’t see it themselves?
For the record, I have nothing against the Chinese – after all, I am half Chinese. haha. I would also like to state that I wasn’t on any preference list, primarily because I wasn’t one of those stereotypical smart Asian kids; I was one of those stereotypical, proctastinating, slacker teens. heh.
yes cause I wanna lose my seat to another race so they can fill a qouta
Until we can judge an individual purely by there character and personality rather than color or looks, we may have to.
The admitted students should be the best. Diversity should happen when a diverse group of people apply for a college.
NO
just something more to prove that the white middle class has no rights.
No. Should be on grades and performance.
HAVE A BLESSED, SAFE, HEALTHY & HAPPY NEW YEAR. HUGS
i am working on a post concerning this right now. well, sorta..
~ CK
No.
YES! POST WHAT WENDY SAID ABOUT HER SITE!!!!
No. you asked this before and it’s entirely unfair. In attempting to eliminate discrimination based on race, this selection based on racial background merely increases discrimination by actually lowering your chances of being accepted if you are white.
No.
GPA, SAT scores and extra-cirricular activities–these should be the defining factors in accepting students.
I used to work in admissions and financial aid at the college I’m graduating in May and I’ll tell you this–they’ve accepted “minorities” over another person because of their race and because they are required by law to fulfill a quota. In addition, they also get more financial aid and more help from that institution. It’s incredibly biased and unfair for people (like me) who have a 3.8 GPA and work their ass off.
It sucks.
LOL.
~Caroline~
No they should not!
I had left you a comment about my site.. but you can disregard LOL I fixed it. I’m pissed, but everything is ok.. it didn’t get into my actual computer.
Kisses! Wendy
We don’t NEED diversity, we do NEED excellence. If it just so happens to be diverse then so be it, but diversity should not be the goal.
In an ideal world not at all. I’m not sure about affirmative action. I know why it was needed, but then it too became a system that was not fair, that saw only color. If people could be fair then no,, dont ask. BUT people, who are on admissions boards can be very unfair. As well as bosses and other HR personel. IF and when they are truely fair, then we wont have to ask. So for now, yes.
FRIGGIN’ NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! dang. affirmative action disgruntles me. Admission and scholarships should be based on performance and need ONLY. NOT sex, color, sexual orientation, number of toes, or relatives buried on school property. Affirmative action does not irradicate the problem of discrimination; it perpetuates said enigma.
To some extent they should, but I don’t think it’s right for one race to be favored over another.
screw the ‘NO WAY’ answers. a few years ago, in grand rapids. my friend, who is asian, could get into Grand Valley State University with a FULL RIDE if he maintained something like a 3.5 GPA and a moderate ACT score.
Nope. Qualified and smart kids, like mine, know that they still don’t have a chance at some schools because they’re not in a target group.
affirmative action or not i know mine does have a good chance although she’s not part of the mayority group at ivy league colleges because i made sure she is prepared and can compete academically no one else should have to worry if they feel that their child is truly prepared
Gonna Be Honest…It would work for diversity…but it would be used for other things….
i believe i would be in the college’s best interest to admit people who are most qualified. race has nothing to do with this. if any association such as NAACP fights back at the colleges then the colleges can easily respond by saying that he/she wasn’t qualified. the college would obviously do better with the more qualified and academically proficient group of students than with a diverse group of students. the whole issue of being a diverse school is absurd and shouldnt even be considered. the issue itself is a red herring that distracts from other issues that should be looked at.
I was accepted into a summer-camp type education thing where they could only pick a limited number of people. On the application, they asked my race to ensure “ethnic diversity”. Lo and behold, when I got there, it sure was diverse. I don’t think it’s right, and I think it should be solely based on ability, but whatever. To me, there are bigger things to worry about.
no!!
colleges should be really hard to get into – it will keep all the stupid and less fortunate people from figuring out how the system works and how to beat it or use it for their purposes. we need to keep the masses as stupid as possible so as to better control them with superstition, ignorance, fear and hatred and leveraging their frustration to keep them in a cycle of violence and hate so they dont know that theyre getting the royal shaft from those who have mastered the system.
..kidding of course
Yes, we’re call a minority for a reason.
Hey — I actually agree with the majority for a change! Of course not.
NO. Its insane and inane to do so. Yet, Affirmative Action is the law of the land. It sickens me.
I wish they’d stop doing that. They should make it on their own knowledge. They should all take the same test and it should have nothing to do with color.
no, i dont think they should
Hmm… tough question. I’d say that for diversity’s sake, yes.
Well, I dunno…
No, you know what? NO! Colleges should not ask about race at all…
No. There are much more important things to be considered that are less superficial. Having different skin colors is not the only way to be diverse. People are different in more than one way, you know.
No, it is racist no matter how you look at it. You are not on the featured list!!!!!!!!! What is up? You feelin okay?
en oh
I think schools should take anyone with potential. Race shouldn’t matter at all..
HECK NO
no…it angers me when they ask your race on applications why does it matter?…hell they even ask your race on my NC high school EOC test (End-Of-Course)……why do they need to know? we are all human, color isn’t an important factor in anything…
Diversity isn’t an important factor in colleges. What matters most is giving everybody the chance to go to the college of their choice, no matter what their race is.
When I last checked the featured list, you weren’t there! That’s like, the first time ever!
No. It shouldn’t. I hate to break anyone’s bubbles about “socioeconomic” issues, but white kids go to school in the ghetto, too. I grew up on the streets for the first couple years of my life; when my parents split I moved to the suburbs. Otherwise, I would’ve been in the same position as a lot of those kids. There are also a lot of crappy school districts in rural areas that are predominately white schools, and none of those kids get any kind of advantage…but they’re getting the same kind of education a lot of kids in urban schools are, and in a lot of cases, worse. This year, my college tried to “diversify” itself by offering athletes from the city (which I’m from) a lot of scholarships and stuff. Sadly, a lot of those kids dropped out, because they hated the school-it’s in the middle of nowhere. Race shouldn’t even be an issue. It’s nice to think that it’s an educational experience to be with other people of other races, but in my experience everyone seperated themselves by race anyway. I don’t know, I just think it’s pointless to try to use race as a “leveller” when it’s the entire public school system that is in trouble. Appalachia still exists…
NO. This is labeling and just another form of almost prejudice in my opinion. You are then preventing someone from being in a school due to the color of their skin….be it white, black, brown, pink or polka-dotted. It isn’t just PUTTING some students in school…it is keeping others out that according to grades, activities, and merit may be the better candidate. How is this okay?? It shouldn’t be done in schools, work, anywhere. Why are we still separated by skin color?? Didn’t so many fight to keep this from being true?
Absolutely not! It’s racist no matter which way it works!
Although colleges taking race into consideration is to fill a quota that will allow them to attain more money from the government so they can give out more grants to students, basing it soley on race is a mistake. I’ve always believed that instead of race, it should be done on socio-economic status. That way, the people with the less money will be the ones helped out as they are the ones that deserve it. Since the only motivation for using race is monetary, it only makes sense to replace that racial quota with a socio-economic quota. becuase in todays society, very few people are disenfranchised from eductaion due to race it doesnt seem fair to use that as an excuse. however, many people dont get the best education because of the community they live in are not upper class. i dont know why we havent done this, but then again the college administrators never asked me.
Heck no. It should all be based on looks. . . . . jk.
Right back at you selfless0 … i agree with your statement that if you are really prepared you shouldn’t have anything to worry about anyway.
For all those people who claim that white people are victims of discrimination now or that the “white middle class has no rights,” tell me this: If white people are truly so “victimized” in college admissions, why is the minority enrollment going DOWN at some major institutions? And across the country, the percentage of white students in all colleges and universities has barely changed … that doesn’t sound like the chances for white folks are terribly suffering. So maybe I didn’t get into Harvard because a racial minority got in –so what?! Odds are I’ll get in at countless other schools. Get over your sense of entitlement that someone “took YOUR spot” … there are no guaranteed spaces in colleges. And if white people are truly so victimized in the job market because of all the supposed “minority hires” why is the percentage of white CEOs and presidents and top-level execs or white folks in “white collar” jobs still so wildly disproportionate? It’s NOT because white people are better, but because white people have historically received MANY more opportunities and privileges. Maybe it’s time to own up to the fact that although we do work hard for many things, a LOT of what white people have comes at the expense of others.
bqira, you are so smart, i mean really……………….. the obvious is not obvious to the average person for many selfish reasons or plain ignorance
no!!!!!!
I never thought it was such a good idea. Then that will become an issue in itself.
A tentative yes…
Increased minority presence in educational institutions = increased economic opportunities after graduation = decreased disparity of wealth in this country = increased opportunity for future generations of minorities for social mobility based solely on merit. Affirmative action wasn’t meant to be a permanent instituion, just something to even out the economic playing field so that future generations of Americans might actually be able to compete at equal levels. Of course, that isn’t airtight and might mean an immediate injustice, but I think it’ll do more good in the long run.
Good grief, I hope that made sense…
I can’t see your picture!! Where did it go?? =(
I have mixed feelings on this. I shall abstain.
By putting Race on there, they’re making Race a factor. The most qualified student should get the spot, regardles of skin color.
no
Yes, but not just to make colleges more diverse. For me, it’s about bringing a higher percentage of racial minorities over the poverty line. If discrimination because of race caused people of your race in your area to be impoverished- say a poor, primarily black school district- then your school district won’t have as much money as a district full of white people who haven’t had to deal with state-sponsored racism, and therefore are more likely to be above the poverty line. If your school district doesn’t have as much money, then you don’t get as good of an education (it’s proven). If you aren’t getting an equal education, you can’t live up to your full potential, and you don’t have as many opportunities. So how can a kid who is getting a second-rate education/less opportunities compete with someone who has had money, better education, and all the opportunities their parents can afford (a lot)? Racism has beat minorities into poor neighborhoods, and poverty is a bitch to pull yourself out of, especially when you’re not getting a fair deal. What if you can’t reasonably pull yourself out of poverty, you grow up to live in the same or a similar school district, and your kids go through the same cycle as you? This viscious cycle of poverty, catalyzed and fueled by racism and ignorange, isn’t fair and needs to stop. At the same time, white people have benefitted (socio-economically) from racism towards minorities. It’s not a white person’s fault that they were born white, and it’s not fair that they should have to pay for the bigotry of their ancestors. But it’s also not fair that a person of a minority race was born _____ (whatever color). So it’s not fair for anyone, but racism has hurt minorities living today and white people living today, and there needs to be balance.
There are exceptions to the rule (there will always be exceptions to the rule), but generally I believe this is best for the entire country. Inequality fosters hate fosters more inequality fosters division among the citizenry. And since when has a nation divided ever been good?
Great strides have been made, especially in the last 50 years or so. But there’s still so, so much more that needs to be done. Americans are not all equal and Affirmative Action can help. It’s not a cure for the common cold, but it’s a cup of hot lemon tea with honey in it. Pretty damn good, I say.
And once again, sorry for composing a novel in your comment box. My apologies.
the bigger question is: is it better to be colorblind and end up with a school that is 99% one race or do consider race and have a diverse school?
I don’t know personally, I can see both sides making a good argument.
hidden_sandwich how old did you say you were? impressive!!!!
To all a Happy New Year
May all your resolutions be achieved
Dan, looking forward to your posts, thanks
It’s not so their schools are diverse. The purpose of affirmative action is to get the lower class (african americans) who don’t really have the resources to get into colleges, a chance.
I do think it should be based more on class… but whatever.
Fuck affirmative action haters.
Hehe, I’m 17. Thanks for the ego boost.
In colleges, race should not matter so much as grades, record, etcetera. It would be great to have Asians, African Americans, and Hispamics at colleges. But it should be the grades that get them in, not their race. Diversity is only as important as the democrats make it out to be. God bless, Shohna
Absolutely not. You get the test scores and grades, you get in. Nothing else should ever count since all are equal. I do agree that race should not even be a question on the form though.
My first reaction is to say no. But then, I can’t think of any better way than this (bad) way of trying to break down the economic barriers so often associated with races. If a certain race is generally poorer than another, the attempts should be made to pull them up. So I guss yes.
Through programs like the above children performing at the 98th percentile (smarter than 98% of kids their age in the whole US population, whites included) are recruited and offered quality education it is very competitive These are the kids that then go on to compete for the “5″ seats reserved for minorities in college applications do you doubt that they don’t have the grades to get in? Relax, there are still 75% or more seats left for the rest of you and your children to apply for
If we lived in this Utopian society then my answer would be know. But reality is we don’t. As much as people hate to admit there is discrimination left to right against everyone from every background.
No. Because anyone who’s not white is considered a minority, that gives an advantage to minorities and takes away from us poor white folk.
no way.
A resounding no. You can’t end racism by simply turning it the other way.
Absolutly not.
No! Meritocracy all the way! All this affrmative action is getting too carried away!
No…should be based on merit.
No… because that’s not racial equality. That’s giving an edge to minorities.
Same thing as Affirmative Action. Forcing businesses to have a quota of minorities only insures that the minorities can do a piss-poor job and keep collecting a paycheck. Especially when that quota isn’t met.
And if you don’t believe me, I’d like you to talk to an old friend that works at a pork-processing plant in which every Mexican is completely worthless, yet can’t seem to get fired.
No.
But all the Irish should get free admission regardless of qualifications, based on the terrible discrimination we faced when trying to get employment in the new world. We can’t really right all the wrongs; let’s just try to do right.
Yes as a tie breaking measure, Not as a primary measure though. I think you do more harm than good when you admit less qualified students baaased on race or athletic ability or some other non-acedemic measure.
Racial diversity should not be a criteria in college admissions.
L,r
I think race should even come up.
I meant shouldn’t.
if we ever expect race to not be an issue they should not consider it. buuuuuuuut. it seems like it’s always going to be an issue.
NO It makes the application process more frustrating/annoying
Melissa
i emailed you.
They should NOT. Nobody should be given preferential treatment to gain entry to any school. It should be based on scores and grades, and even class rankings.
They already do. Where have you been the past 50 years? I’ve been to 2 colleges and one university. They all make you fill out your race/ethnic background on the application. The less white you are, the better you have at getting into a college and getting it paid for you with scholarships and grants. What would happen if someone started the United White College Fund?
No.
No
NO
No
no. I think we are close enough we can let them go…
I think educational institutions should do a better job of recruiting minorities, but not necissarily look at race when it comes to accepting students. I think a lot of lower income families (especially if the student is the first in the family to go to college) are intimidated by the process of applying to schools and may need some extra help going through the process.
NO! Havent we always been taught that race doesnt matter?
Its just another form of discrimination and predjudice.
NO! Havent we always been taught that race doesnt matter?
Its just another form of discrimination and predjudice.
Dan, happy new year.
I am an admissions counselor at a college in TN, and I think it’s really not fair to give preference to one person over another just because they’re not caucasian. We look at the type of person we let into the college, grades, goals, and whether they’re hard working or not. We definately do have minorities there, and we let in almost everyone who applies and do not discriminate against race either.
Whoever qualifies, whatever race they are, should get to go.
RYC: You didn’t think the chimp one was better?
Absolutely not! Grades, ability, extra curricular activities. To be completely fair,everyone should earn their way.
no although I think our academic system should be ethnically diverse.
No based on merit
no
“But all the Irish should get free admission regardless of qualifications, based on the terrible discrimination we faced when trying to get employment in the new world. We can’t really right all the wrongs; let’s just try to do right.” -OldmanGordon
…was that a joke?
No, colleges should not even look at race while selecting students. It should be based purely on ability, grades, etc. Selecting minorities over whites is racism. And some white guy tried to protest a prep school in my county and make it accept less Asians cause 1/3 of the students were Asian and he thought there weren’t enough white kids. If the Asians are more qualified than some other whites that also applied, then the Asians should get in regardless of their race. I think fairness comes before diversity.
Hmmmm…no. Although, I am sure it is done, what with affirmative action and all.
maybe consideration for certain scholarships, but beyond that, no
Absolutely not. If you’re qualified, you’re qualified, regardless of what race you are.
On another note, I’ve known some people who were insulted because people asked them if they got into college via affirmative action, just because they were African-American.
No they should not. They should consider the abilities of each individual student. PERIOID. There should be no reference in the application to color ethnicity WHATSOEVER.
Elect me President.
no
No. I don’t know how they can justify educational admission by race. However, what’s worse is when financial aid is based on race or ethnicity. I believe any academic pursuit should be based solely on academic performance.
No way. I have lots of friends who are racially different, and most of them are smarter than me. If they didn’t get a spot in a college, because of their race and I got it. I’d be as mad as hell.
There’s nothing wrong with people of other races. They have feeling just like anyone else. They deserve equal chances.
I don’t mean to change the subject but… this is the same thing, like if you’re homosexual. You can’t turn someone down, because of who they love. That’s wrong, too.
NO. NO WAY. NO HOW.
Colleges need to raise their standards. I am so tired of undergrads that want everything handed to them on a silver platter. That goes for all races.
Erika
Isn’t it already a law that you have to have a certain amount of nationality in your school to make it diverse? Or is that for highschools? I don’t recall. Either way, no. I think people should be admitted for their merit, not their culture.
No. It is reverse discrimination to do so. By favoring an African American individual, the university is show a favoritism for that race over the Caucasian race. If you think about it, it does not really make any sense. They already take race into consideration via Affirmative action (even if they say they don’t, one way or another, they do). How can they justify Affirmative Action? It is an absurd program brought by lobbyists for minorities and universities wanting a high minority percentage because the American society has dictated that equality means minority.
I’ll be an idiot and say yes. Even though I prefer that we as a society be colorblind, the fact is, we aren’t. Sad fact, but it’s the truth. Posted 12/30/2005 at 6:20 PM by twoberry
Then, why continue to accentuate the inherent flaws of ourselves? The sad fact is that race will go into consideration, with the stigmas built up in today’s society. Progress is destigmatisation.
No, why should my hard work be given less consideration just because I’m white and come from a middle class family?
you want to be completely fair ? put numbers instead of names on applications- or something equally generic. then it boils down to grades and achievement. but then you also have to look at who’s reviewing the application-
even when the application process is based on grades simply- there can and still will be indicators of what race the applicant is ( for instance “where” they went to school- the area)- so the problem is how do you completely eliminate any indicators to level the playing field?
and then different schools have different standards- someone who got straight A’s from one school with lower standards may get in as opposed to someone who have A’s and B’s from an academically tougher school
this issue has been hotly debated in universities, most especially in California- where, if admission was based on grades alone, Asian and South Asian students would dominate
smd owns yew
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No. not race. not money. not alumni associations. NOTHING except academics
Only if they’re giving out scholarships for something like track.
When asked on a questionaire what race I am, I usually fill in the extra blank with the work “human.” One person was so adamant that I be more specific (this was over the phone) that I said, “You want a specific race? How ’bout the Belmont Stakes!”
Never. It shouldn’t matter, the most qualified should get the spot, hands down.
Colleges should accept all people they believe are academically promising to go to their school, whether their school’s population is diverse or not.
No. The most qualified people should get in. Colleges are places of higher education and should stop worrying about being politically correct and inclusive.
Comments (188)
Nope.
First for the second time this year. I’m a happy man.
maybe to an extent but not very at that.
well my mum actually wanted to answe this.
too bad she isnt here.
actually i think they should first and formost go by grades. its not fair to a straight A student if someone who doesnt try well enough to get in ust because he is white/black etc.
I’ll take second
The Law school I work for does. So that they can brag about how “diverse” they are.
So contrived.
Maybe in terms of financial aid, (scholarships, etc) or else programs to eliminate racism on campus… but beyond that, no.
p.s. – Omg, top 5.
Nope….but only if the admissions officer doesn’t know what race you are.
No.
It’s really not that hard to understand… all men were created equal and will remain equal until this world comes to an end.
End of story.
No questions asked.
Period.
- Nicholas
no, I don’t even think they should put the race on the application
NO! People should be admitted by their test scores and that alone!
Nope
While we’re on the subject, ppl should also get raises and promotions based on their WORK performance and not the color of their skin!!!
No, but the elementry schools and High schools in low income ares need to stepit up and give a better education to these things, to equal the playing field. If all things are not equal, how will those kids have a chance. So, for now I guess we have to have affirmative action.
Yeah bc I need some scholarships.
Hey, you ever heard of this argument: Some ppl argue that if reparations are going to be given out, that it should be free education and/or land?
When there are similar candidates they should. But it should be used more to narrow down the applicants.
No. Absolutely no
I hate separating and labeling.
These are PEOPLE. People are people are people are people.
* I’m probably going to get the wrath of xanga but this is true:
In 2002 there was a girl who said all sorts of homosexual jokes, & jokes about her own race they were not appropriate, however she was never punished.
One day a manager hinted about certain ppl being gifted due to their race, he was FIRED the very NEXT day! When I asked why he was fired and not the other person as well, they stated it was hard to fire a person of color…they feared the NAACP and the bad PR.
no.
YES, why not.
I’ll be an idiot and say yes. Even though I prefer that we as a society be colorblind, the fact is, we aren’t. Sad fact, but it’s the truth.
ABSOLUTELY NOT! COlleges and employers and everyone else should base entry solely on ability and performance and other factors that are important to that which it applies.
no of course not
No.
Do they? Yes.
Hell no, that is racist to me.
race doesn’t exist. it was made up by people who have less coloring to their skin so that they could feel better than others. stupid people.
No.
It’s hard enough as is trying to get into a good college and get enough financial aid/scholarships that you don’t get entrenched in loans and bankrupt your family in the process. I’m not against minority students getting scholarships- but they need to do so because they’re smart and have worked hard in high school.
All men are created equal.
No.
If you’re a minority and got higher test scores than a caucasion applicant, hey, more power to you. But its just plain wrong to deny someone admission because they’re white and in their stead they admitted a minority to promote diversity. Um, isn’t that somewhat racist?
yes. go affirmative action!
peace max
no
No, because several worthy people are excluded.
No, it should be based on academic achievement, and I say that even if I’m a minority. Personally, I am incredibly against colleges accepting students based on athletics.
I don’t want to ever feel accepted somewhere, let it be to a college or a job or whatever, because of my race. I want to be accepted because I’m good.
Yes
I just think US colleges are way too expensive, even the crappy ones.
No, race has nothing to do with intelligence and higher scores. It’s wrong (no matter what race the person happens to be) if someone with lower scores gets into a school because they happen to be ____ (fill in race here) and someone more qualified gets turned down because they are a different race.
Equality has never been equal.
no.
no, i don’t think they should take sex or race into consideration. like the college that i went to- Girls had to have a 3.7 to be considered and guys only had to have a 3.3 because they needed more guys to be on the sports teams. That sucks! But anyway,I think when you apply your name should be assigned a number, and no one ever sees your name; they only see your number, your grades, and your admission essay
Not even!
no
absolutely not. that discrimination against non minorities i would say. if one person whose white works hard and someone who is, say, asian also works hard, and they get the same GPA and have identical qualifications, why should the person of the minority get a scholarship?
No, I think thats awful.
What is race? I can’t even find a category for my children when I fill out the ethnicity on a form. I have to check “other.” Should people under the category of “other” be given special consideration?
It shouldn’t even be a question on the application. They don’t ask you your race when you apply for a job…what’s so different about school?
nope
NO, and anyone who says yes is retarded. that’s just reverse racism.
Exposure to diverse cultures and points of view is per se educational. So yes, absolutely. Where does the notion that access to education should be based on “merit” come from, anyway? What is “merit”?
Ah, how many things we accept as “true” and “right” without ever questioning them!
no
My school does. They pride themselves in being one of the most diverse schools in the USA.
no. perhaps they should make sure that the admissions officers are racially diversed rather.
no
No but it is.
I believe that universities should be diverse and that they should try to attain diversity, but I also don’t think that the universities themselves should give scholarships to “minorities” just because of their color. If someone is more qualified and has a bigger need, then they should get the scholarship regardless of color. I think that there should be scholarships available for minorities, but they should be specifically for minorities, if that makes sense, and not necessarily university sanctioned.
No
No, but they do. Even if you eliminated a race area on the application, the admissions office can correlate the name, address, religion (any socioeconomic demographic, really) with race. It’s just the way it is, and I don’t know how to correct the problem. I think admissions should be solely based on ability, but at the same time I think campuses need to be diverse so it’s hard to say.
DAN…. IT’S WENDY….
Someone left a message on my site that says “Hey… can you help with my profile?” I clicked on the link, and MY FREAKING SITE WENT DOWN!
The message was from NURGA100. DO NOT go to this site.
Let your readers know… please?????? I’ve already contacted Xanga. Thanks.. Wendy (SouthForkCheerMom)
no, academics should be the only thing on the brain. It’s not a school’s job to be diverse, it’s to educate people. Diversity comes with the territory- your race alone shouldn’t get you in or out of any school.
No.
Here’s my answer (and this coming from a white male) … affirmative action was designed to help give people who had traditionally been excluded from education and jobs a chance. Affirmative action has nothing to do with percentages or quotas, it just says that places must consider all applicants regardless of skin color (or other factors). The way affirmative action is now implemented, might not be the best, but the fact is it’s the only thing we have right now that even TRIES to even the playing field. So YES … colleges and universities should absolutely take race (and socio-economic status and other factors) into consideration. Why doesn’t anyone complain when legacy students get admitted to universities? (that is just because daddy went to Yale and contributes money as an alumni, I have an automatic pass into Yale if i want it) … the only time affirmative action is an issue is when a black person gets in over a white person …
It seems that many white people feel somehow ENTITLED to these positions in schools and the work place … and that entitlement reeks of some latent sense of racism and superiority.
The argument for meritocracy is completely unjust. Consider the following scenarios:
1) A black student comes from a poor neighborhood without much social support and worked HARD to earn a 3.7 GPA and an above-average score on the SAT (or ACT). The student did all the studying herself and saved up for SAT practice books. The student worked almost full-time in order to support family needs and save up for college.
2) A white student grew up in a family that could afford private tutors for any subjects in which she struggled and she ended up with a 3.9 GPA. She received a fairly high score on the SAT after taking a $1000 SAT prep course and because guidance counselors and teachers at her school spent extra hours working with students for SAT prep.
I’m sorry, but just because student #2 had the financial resources to get slightly better scores and grades does NOT mean that student #2 is SO much more deserving of that spot in college.
I realize that many white students are in situations where they cannot afford to “buy” an education and many racial minorities do have outstanding resources. This is but ONE example of why we cannot base college admissions SOLELY on stupid numerical measures of success and we MUST take into account other social factors. And since race is still a major barrier in society, i think it’s only fair that college admissions consider that.
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
NO
No. It shouldn’t matter what race you are. It’s like, me going around taking a poll of people’s races and then deciding what friends I have to be “diverse”. It doesn’t work like that. People might call me racist. A college is a college, to teach, no matter what race the people are.
no. while advocating diversity and being fair arent quite the same thing, theyre close… you should simply move the advantage from one race to another in order to achieve diversity. its still preferential treatment.
as in affirmative action? Sure, if it is for indian (from india) kids as well
seriously: nahhh….of course not.
it should be a race to the school. the first 1000 people to cross the finish line get in. for the others, too bad.
ready, on your mark, get set, GO!
both my parents work for a school district, and i can tell you that schools dont strive for diversity for the sake of the students. Having a diverse student body and faculty is good for the schools image, which gives them added protection from bad press, lawsuits, ect. Colleges need to stop worrying about how theyre going to protect their own asses and help the people who need it the most, regardless of what they look like.
no, but they could take economic status into consideration.
no
Sometimes people have so much to say and have formed opinions based on poor or little infomation. But we alL are smart enough to figure who looks like they’ve done their homework and makes the most sence some people could care less and continue to be ignorant for me it was this person that made the most sense:
Here’s my answer (and this coming from a white male) … affirmative action was designed to help give people who had traditionally been excluded from education and jobs a chance. Affirmative action has nothing to do with percentages or quotas, it just says that places must consider all applicants regardless of skin color (or other factors). The way affirmative action is now implemented, might not be the best, but the fact is it’s the only thing we have right now that even TRIES to even the playing field. So YES … colleges and universities should absolutely take race (and socio-economic status and other factors) into consideration. Why doesn’t anyone complain when legacy students get admitted to universities? (that is just because daddy went to Yale and contributes money as an alumni, I have an automatic pass into Yale if i want it) … the only time affirmative action is an issue is when a black person gets in over a white person …
It seems that many white people feel somehow ENTITLED to these positions in schools and the work place … and that entitlement reeks of some latent sense of racism and superiority.
The argument for meritocracy is completely unjust. Consider the following scenarios:
1) A black student comes from a poor neighborhood without much social support and worked HARD to earn a 3.7 GPA and an above-average score on the SAT (or ACT). The student did all the studying herself and saved up for SAT practice books. The student worked almost full-time in order to support family needs and save up for college.
2) A white student grew up in a family that could afford private tutors for any subjects in which she struggled and she ended up with a 3.9 GPA. She received a fairly high score on the SAT after taking a $1000 SAT prep course and because guidance counselors and teachers at her school spent extra hours working with students for SAT prep.
I’m sorry, but just because student #2 had the financial resources to get slightly better scores and grades does NOT mean that student #2 is SO much more deserving of that spot in college.
I realize that many white students are in situations where they cannot afford to “buy” an education and many racial minorities do have outstanding resources. This is but ONE example of why we cannot base college admissions SOLELY on stupid numerical measures of success and we MUST take into account other social factors. And since race is still a major barrier in society, i think it’s only fair that college admissions consider that.
Posted 12/30/2005 at 7:49 PM by bqira
Unfortunately some people do not read the other comments before or after their own and so lose out
Thanks BQira FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LEARN THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND FOR SHARING IT
No, I hate when schools do that. ARound here, though, I can see why the idea istempting. My friends attended a high school that was predominantly Chinese…and some of the Bay Area universities are becoming predominantly Asian…but doesn’t that just mean that a lot of Asians live in the Bay Area? :shrugs:
The elementary school I attended had about half Chinese students and half Caucasian…years later, the whole school was Chinese. Maybe NOT the WHOLE school, I didn’t check the roll sheet, but when I went by, I saw only Chinese kids. I wonder what type of environment that sets; will they ever learn what it is to be diverse?
And I say this because many (NOT ALL) Chinese like to stay…homogenous. They like for their children to marry Chinese, etc. How can future generations be open to diversity if they don’t see it themselves?
For the record, I have nothing against the Chinese – after all, I am half Chinese.
haha. I would also like to state that I wasn’t on any preference list, primarily because I wasn’t one of those stereotypical smart Asian kids; I was one of those stereotypical, proctastinating, slacker teens. 
heh.
yes cause I wanna lose my seat to another race so they can fill a qouta
Until we can judge an individual purely by there character and personality rather than color or looks, we may have to.
The admitted students should be the best. Diversity should happen when a diverse group of people apply for a college.
NO
just something more to prove that the white middle class has no rights.
No. Should be on grades and performance.
HAVE A BLESSED, SAFE, HEALTHY & HAPPY NEW YEAR. HUGS
i am working on a post concerning this right now. well, sorta..
~ CK
No.
YES!
POST WHAT WENDY SAID ABOUT HER SITE!!!!
No. you asked this before and it’s entirely unfair. In attempting to eliminate discrimination based on race, this selection based on racial background merely increases discrimination by actually lowering your chances of being accepted if you are white.
No.
GPA, SAT scores and extra-cirricular activities–these should be the defining factors in accepting students.
I used to work in admissions and financial aid at the college I’m graduating in May and I’ll tell you this–they’ve accepted “minorities” over another person because of their race and because they are required by law to fulfill a quota. In addition, they also get more financial aid and more help from that institution. It’s incredibly biased and unfair for people (like me) who have a 3.8 GPA and work their ass off.
It sucks.
LOL.
~Caroline~
No they should not!
I had left you a comment about my site.. but you can disregard LOL I fixed it. I’m pissed, but everything is ok.. it didn’t get into my actual computer.
Kisses! Wendy
We don’t NEED diversity, we do NEED excellence. If it just so happens to be diverse then so be it, but diversity should not be the goal.
In an ideal world not at all. I’m not sure about affirmative action. I know why it was needed, but then it too became a system that was not fair, that saw only color. If people could be fair then no,, dont ask. BUT people, who are on admissions boards can be very unfair. As well as bosses and other HR personel. IF and when they are truely fair, then we wont have to ask. So for now, yes.
FRIGGIN’ NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! dang. affirmative action disgruntles me. Admission and scholarships should be based on performance and need ONLY. NOT sex, color, sexual orientation, number of toes, or relatives buried on school property. Affirmative action does not irradicate the problem of discrimination; it perpetuates said enigma.
To some extent they should, but I don’t think it’s right for one race to be favored over another.
screw the ‘NO WAY’ answers.
a few years ago, in grand rapids. my friend, who is asian, could get into Grand Valley State University with a FULL RIDE if he maintained something like a 3.5 GPA and a moderate ACT score.
Nope. Qualified and smart kids, like mine, know that they still don’t have a chance at some schools because they’re not in a target group.
affirmative action or not i know mine does have a good chance although she’s not part of the mayority group at ivy league colleges because i made sure she is prepared and can compete academically no one else should have to worry if they feel that their child is truly prepared
Gonna Be Honest…It would work for diversity…but it would be used for other things….
i believe i would be in the college’s best interest to admit people who are most qualified. race has nothing to do with this. if any association such as NAACP fights back at the colleges then the colleges can easily respond by saying that he/she wasn’t qualified. the college would obviously do better with the more qualified and academically proficient group of students than with a diverse group of students. the whole issue of being a diverse school is absurd and shouldnt even be considered. the issue itself is a red herring that distracts from other issues that should be looked at.
I was accepted into a summer-camp type education thing where they could only pick a limited number of people. On the application, they asked my race to ensure “ethnic diversity”. Lo and behold, when I got there, it sure was diverse. I don’t think it’s right, and I think it should be solely based on ability, but whatever. To me, there are bigger things to worry about.
no!!
colleges should be really hard to get into – it will keep all the stupid and less fortunate people from figuring out how the system works and how to beat it or use it for their purposes. we need to keep the masses as stupid as possible so as to better control them with superstition, ignorance, fear and hatred and leveraging their frustration to keep them in a cycle of violence and hate so they dont know that theyre getting the royal shaft from those who have mastered the system.
..kidding of course
Yes, we’re call a minority for a reason.
Hey — I actually agree with the majority for a change! Of course not.
NO. Its insane and inane to do so. Yet, Affirmative Action is the law of the land. It sickens me.
I wish they’d stop doing that. They should make it on their own knowledge. They should all take the same test and it should have nothing to do with color.
no, i dont think they should
Hmm… tough question. I’d say that for diversity’s sake, yes.
Well, I dunno…
No, you know what? NO! Colleges should not ask about race at all…
No. There are much more important things to be considered that are less superficial. Having different skin colors is not the only way to be diverse. People are different in more than one way, you know.
No, it is racist no matter how you look at it. You are not on the featured list!!!!!!!!! What is up? You feelin okay?
en oh
I think schools should take anyone with potential. Race shouldn’t matter at all..
HECK NO
no…it angers me when they ask your race on applications why does it matter?…hell they even ask your race on my NC high school EOC test (End-Of-Course)……why do they need to know? we are all human, color isn’t an important factor in anything…
Diversity isn’t an important factor in colleges. What matters most is giving everybody the chance to go to the college of their choice, no matter what their race is.
When I last checked the featured list, you weren’t there! That’s like, the first time ever!
No. It shouldn’t. I hate to break anyone’s bubbles about “socioeconomic” issues, but white kids go to school in the ghetto, too. I grew up on the streets for the first couple years of my life; when my parents split I moved to the suburbs. Otherwise, I would’ve been in the same position as a lot of those kids. There are also a lot of crappy school districts in rural areas that are predominately white schools, and none of those kids get any kind of advantage…but they’re getting the same kind of education a lot of kids in urban schools are, and in a lot of cases, worse. This year, my college tried to “diversify” itself by offering athletes from the city (which I’m from) a lot of scholarships and stuff. Sadly, a lot of those kids dropped out, because they hated the school-it’s in the middle of nowhere. Race shouldn’t even be an issue. It’s nice to think that it’s an educational experience to be with other people of other races, but in my experience everyone seperated themselves by race anyway. I don’t know, I just think it’s pointless to try to use race as a “leveller” when it’s the entire public school system that is in trouble. Appalachia still exists…
NO. This is labeling and just another form of almost prejudice in my opinion. You are then preventing someone from being in a school due to the color of their skin….be it white, black, brown, pink or polka-dotted. It isn’t just PUTTING some students in school…it is keeping others out that according to grades, activities, and merit may be the better candidate. How is this okay?? It shouldn’t be done in schools, work, anywhere. Why are we still separated by skin color?? Didn’t so many fight to keep this from being true?
Absolutely not! It’s racist no matter which way it works!
Although colleges taking race into consideration is to fill a quota that will allow them to attain more money from the government so they can give out more grants to students, basing it soley on race is a mistake. I’ve always believed that instead of race, it should be done on socio-economic status. That way, the people with the less money will be the ones helped out as they are the ones that deserve it. Since the only motivation for using race is monetary, it only makes sense to replace that racial quota with a socio-economic quota. becuase in todays society, very few people are disenfranchised from eductaion due to race it doesnt seem fair to use that as an excuse. however, many people dont get the best education because of the community they live in are not upper class. i dont know why we havent done this, but then again the college administrators never asked me.
Heck no. It should all be based on looks. . . . . jk.
Right back at you selfless0 … i agree with your statement that if you are really prepared you shouldn’t have anything to worry about anyway.
For all those people who claim that white people are victims of discrimination now or that the “white middle class has no rights,” tell me this: If white people are truly so “victimized” in college admissions, why is the minority enrollment going DOWN at some major institutions? And across the country, the percentage of white students in all colleges and universities has barely changed … that doesn’t sound like the chances for white folks are terribly suffering. So maybe I didn’t get into Harvard because a racial minority got in –so what?! Odds are I’ll get in at countless other schools. Get over your sense of entitlement that someone “took YOUR spot” … there are no guaranteed spaces in colleges.
And if white people are truly so victimized in the job market because of all the supposed “minority hires” why is the percentage of white CEOs and presidents and top-level execs or white folks in “white collar” jobs still so wildly disproportionate? It’s NOT because white people are better, but because white people have historically received MANY more opportunities and privileges. Maybe it’s time to own up to the fact that although we do work hard for many things, a LOT of what white people have comes at the expense of others.
bqira, you are so smart, i mean really……………….. the obvious is not obvious to the average person for many selfish reasons or plain ignorance
no!!!!!!
I never thought it was such a good idea. Then that will become an issue in itself.
A tentative yes…
Increased minority presence in educational institutions = increased economic opportunities after graduation = decreased disparity of wealth in this country = increased opportunity for future generations of minorities for social mobility based solely on merit. Affirmative action wasn’t meant to be a permanent instituion, just something to even out the economic playing field so that future generations of Americans might actually be able to compete at equal levels. Of course, that isn’t airtight and might mean an immediate injustice, but I think it’ll do more good in the long run.
Good grief, I hope that made sense…
I can’t see your picture!! Where did it go?? =(
I have mixed feelings on this. I shall abstain.
By putting Race on there, they’re making Race a factor. The most qualified student should get the spot, regardles of skin color.
no
Yes, but not just to make colleges more diverse. For me, it’s about bringing a higher percentage of racial minorities over the poverty line. If discrimination because of race caused people of your race in your area to be impoverished- say a poor, primarily black school district- then your school district won’t have as much money as a district full of white people who haven’t had to deal with state-sponsored racism, and therefore are more likely to be above the poverty line. If your school district doesn’t have as much money, then you don’t get as good of an education (it’s proven). If you aren’t getting an equal education, you can’t live up to your full potential, and you don’t have as many opportunities. So how can a kid who is getting a second-rate education/less opportunities
compete with someone who has had money, better education, and all the opportunities their parents can afford (a lot)? Racism has beat minorities into poor neighborhoods, and poverty is a bitch to pull yourself out of, especially when you’re not getting a fair deal. What if you can’t reasonably pull yourself out of poverty, you grow up to live in the same or a similar school district, and your kids go through the same cycle as you? This viscious cycle of poverty, catalyzed and fueled by racism and ignorange, isn’t fair and needs to stop.
At the same time, white people have benefitted (socio-economically) from racism towards minorities. It’s not a white person’s fault that they were born white, and it’s not fair that they should have to pay for the bigotry of their ancestors. But it’s also not fair that a person of a minority race was born _____ (whatever color). So it’s not fair for anyone, but racism has hurt minorities living today and white people living today, and there needs to be balance.
There are exceptions to the rule (there will always be exceptions to the rule), but generally I believe this is best for the entire country. Inequality fosters hate fosters more inequality fosters division among the citizenry. And since when has a nation divided ever been good?
Great strides have been made, especially in the last 50 years or so. But there’s still so, so much more that needs to be done. Americans are not all equal and Affirmative Action can help. It’s not a cure for the common cold, but it’s a cup of hot lemon tea with honey in it. Pretty damn good, I say.
And once again, sorry for composing a novel in your comment box. My apologies.
the bigger question is: is it better to be colorblind and end up with a school that is 99% one race or do consider race and have a diverse school?
I don’t know personally, I can see both sides making a good argument.
hidden_sandwich how old did you say you were? impressive!!!!
To all a Happy New Year
May all your resolutions be achieved
Dan, looking forward to your posts, thanks
It’s not so their schools are diverse.
The purpose of affirmative action is to get the lower class (african americans) who don’t really have the resources to get into colleges, a chance.
I do think it should be based more on class… but whatever.
Fuck affirmative action haters.
Hehe, I’m 17. Thanks for the ego boost.
In colleges, race should not matter so much as grades, record, etcetera. It would be great to have Asians, African Americans, and Hispamics at colleges. But it should be the grades that get them in, not their race.
Diversity is only as important as the democrats make it out to be.
God bless,
Shohna
Absolutely not. You get the test scores and grades, you get in. Nothing else should ever count since all are equal. I do agree that race should not even be a question on the form though.
My first reaction is to say no. But then, I can’t think of any better way than this (bad) way of trying to break down the economic barriers so often associated with races. If a certain race is generally poorer than another, the attempts should be made to pull them up. So I guss yes.
http://www.abetterchance.org/
Through programs like the above children performing at the 98th percentile (smarter than 98% of kids their age in the whole US population, whites included) are recruited and offered quality education it is very competitive These are the kids that then go on to compete for the “5″ seats reserved for minorities in college applications do you doubt that they don’t have the grades to get in? Relax, there are still 75% or more seats left for the rest of you and your children to apply for
If we lived in this Utopian society then my answer would be know. But reality is we don’t. As much as people hate to admit there is discrimination left to right against everyone from every background.
No. Because anyone who’s not white is considered a minority, that gives an advantage to minorities and takes away from us poor white folk.
no way.
A resounding no. You can’t end racism by simply turning it the other way.
Absolutly not.
No! Meritocracy all the way! All this affrmative action is getting too carried away!
No…should be based on merit.
No… because that’s not racial equality. That’s giving an edge to minorities.
Same thing as Affirmative Action. Forcing businesses to have a quota of minorities only insures that the minorities can do a piss-poor job and keep collecting a paycheck. Especially when that quota isn’t met.
And if you don’t believe me, I’d like you to talk to an old friend that works at a pork-processing plant in which every Mexican is completely worthless, yet can’t seem to get fired.
No.
But all the Irish should get free admission regardless of qualifications, based on the terrible discrimination we faced when trying to get employment in the new world. We can’t really right all the wrongs; let’s just try to do right.
Yes as a tie breaking measure, Not as a primary measure though. I think you do more harm than good when you admit less qualified students baaased on race or athletic ability or some other non-acedemic measure.
Racial diversity should not be a criteria in college admissions.
L,r
I think race should even come up.
I meant shouldn’t.
if we ever expect race to not be an issue they should not consider it. buuuuuuuut. it seems like it’s always going to be an issue.
NO
It makes the application process more frustrating/annoying
Melissa
i emailed you.
They should NOT. Nobody should be given preferential treatment to gain entry to any school. It should be based on scores and grades, and even class rankings.
They already do. Where have you been the past 50 years? I’ve been to 2 colleges and one university. They all make you fill out your race/ethnic background on the application. The less white you are, the better you have at getting into a college and getting it paid for you with scholarships and grants. What would happen if someone started the United White College Fund?
No.
No
NO
No
no. I think we are close enough we can let them go…
I think educational institutions should do a better job of recruiting minorities, but not necissarily look at race when it comes to accepting students. I think a lot of lower income families (especially if the student is the first in the family to go to college) are intimidated by the process of applying to schools and may need some extra help going through the process.
NO! Havent we always been taught that race doesnt matter?
Its just another form of discrimination and predjudice.
NO! Havent we always been taught that race doesnt matter?
Its just another form of discrimination and predjudice.
Dan, happy new year.
I am an admissions counselor at a college in TN, and I think it’s really not fair to give preference to one person over another just because they’re not caucasian. We look at the type of person we let into the college, grades, goals, and whether they’re hard working or not. We definately do have minorities there, and we let in almost everyone who applies and do not discriminate against race either.
Whoever qualifies, whatever race they are, should get to go.
RYC: You didn’t think the chimp one was better?
Absolutely not! Grades, ability, extra curricular activities. To be completely fair, everyone should earn their way.
no although I think our academic system should be ethnically diverse.
No based on merit
no
“But all the Irish should get free admission regardless of qualifications, based on the terrible discrimination we faced when trying to get employment in the new world. We can’t really right all the wrongs; let’s just try to do right.” -OldmanGordon
…was that a joke?
No, colleges should not even look at race while selecting students. It should be based purely on ability, grades, etc. Selecting minorities over whites is racism. And some white guy tried to protest a prep school in my county and make it accept less Asians cause 1/3 of the students were Asian and he thought there weren’t enough white kids. If the Asians are more qualified than some other whites that also applied, then the Asians should get in regardless of their race. I think fairness comes before diversity.
Hmmmm…no. Although, I am sure it is done, what with affirmative action and all.
maybe consideration for certain scholarships, but beyond that, no
Absolutely not. If you’re qualified, you’re qualified, regardless of what race you are.
On another note, I’ve known some people who were insulted because people asked them if they got into college via affirmative action, just because they were African-American.
No they should not. They should consider the abilities of each individual student. PERIOID. There should be no reference in the application to color ethnicity WHATSOEVER.
Elect me President.
no
No. I don’t know how they can justify educational admission by race. However, what’s worse is when financial aid is based on race or ethnicity. I believe any academic pursuit should be based solely on academic performance.
No way. I have lots of friends who are racially different, and most of them are smarter than me. If they didn’t get a spot in a college, because of their race and I got it. I’d be as mad as hell.
There’s nothing wrong with people of other races. They have feeling just like anyone else. They deserve equal chances.
I don’t mean to change the subject but… this is the same thing, like if you’re homosexual. You can’t turn someone down, because of who they love. That’s wrong, too.
NO. NO WAY. NO HOW.
Colleges need to raise their standards. I am so tired of undergrads that want everything handed to them on a silver platter. That goes for all races.
Erika
Isn’t it already a law that you have to have a certain amount of nationality in your school to make it diverse? Or is that for highschools? I don’t recall. Either way, no. I think people should be admitted for their merit, not their culture.
No. It is reverse discrimination to do so. By favoring an African American individual, the university is show a favoritism for that race over the Caucasian race. If you think about it, it does not really make any sense. They already take race into consideration via Affirmative action (even if they say they don’t, one way or another, they do). How can they justify Affirmative Action? It is an absurd program brought by lobbyists for minorities and universities wanting a high minority percentage because the American society has dictated that equality means minority.
I’ll be an idiot and say yes. Even though I prefer that we as a society be colorblind, the fact is, we aren’t. Sad fact, but it’s the truth.
Posted 12/30/2005 at 6:20 PM by twoberry
Then, why continue to accentuate the inherent flaws of ourselves? The sad fact is that race will go into consideration, with the stigmas built up in today’s society. Progress is destigmatisation.
No, why should my hard work be given less consideration just because I’m white and come from a middle class family?
you want to be completely fair ? put numbers instead of names on applications- or something equally generic. then it boils down to grades and achievement. but then you also have to look at who’s reviewing the application-
even when the application process is based on grades simply- there can and still will be indicators of what race the applicant is ( for instance “where” they went to school- the area)- so the problem is how do you completely eliminate any indicators to level the playing field?
and then different schools have different standards- someone who got straight A’s from one school with lower standards may get in as opposed to someone who have A’s and B’s from an academically tougher school
this issue has been hotly debated in universities, most especially in California- where, if admission was based on grades alone, Asian and South Asian students would dominate
smd owns yew
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No. not race. not money. not alumni associations. NOTHING except academics
Only if they’re giving out scholarships for something like track.
When asked on a questionaire what race I am, I usually fill in the extra blank with the work “human.” One person was so adamant that I be more specific (this was over the phone) that I said, “You want a specific race? How ’bout the Belmont Stakes!”
Never. It shouldn’t matter, the most qualified should get the spot, hands down.
Colleges should accept all people they believe are academically promising to go to their school, whether their school’s population is diverse or not.
No. The most qualified people should get in. Colleges are places of higher education and should stop worrying about being politically correct and inclusive.