<p>Every time a URM candidate gets into a school, people assume it's because of their minority status. This simply furthers the racist ethic that necessitates affirmative action in the first place. For this reason, AA is self-defeating and should be abolished in my opinion.</p>
<p>Your views?</p>
<p>fatlardyazn, I couldn't agree more. I am 100% in favour of economic AA. I just don't see how it's fair that a URM whose parents make $300k a year gets opportunities that a white male whose parents make $20k does not.</p>
<p>This is a touchy issue.</p>
<p>gxing, that's exactly why I'm interested to hear people's views, especially those whose are opposite to mine.</p>
<p>I am just sooo tired of UCs that think Hispanic people are minorities in CA. Hello??? There are more than 10 000 000 of them here(llegal), 32% of state population. That's a "minority"</p>
<p>to say that race shouldnt be a factor at all is to say that America is a color blind society, which it obviously is not.</p>
<p>bobbobbob - but shouldn't it be? wouldn't eliminating this be another step toward colorblindness?</p>
<p>oo i love it!! better for me.. loll</p>
<p>I agree with economic AA. This would elminate the racial issue too because when ppl see a black guy in their Comp Sci class they won't think "Oh he got in 'cause of AA."</p>
<p>Umm...certain URMs because of their skin tone are discriminated against even if they have money.</p>
<p>Have you seen Laguna Beach...jeez. Poor non-minorities can blend in and walk on campus without others knowing their socioeconomic status. That is true of URMs as well, though their ethnicity is sometimes apparent. </p>
<p>People always say they are not racist, but they obviously do not understand that a URM represents a group, more often than a URM represents him or herself, at least in the eyes of others. I've been to Southern California (LA and San Diego) and have heard things that would make a sailor blush. Non-minorities at least represent themselves first, and a group second because they have the power (i.e. majority), at least according to psychologist, anthropologist, and sociologist.</p>
<p>I look like a non-minority, so I do blend, but when I am with other URM, I am seen as different. Yes, there is a clear difference in tratment. Try going into D&G with a group of URMs versus non-URMs.</p>
<p>Just a thought.</p>
<p>BTW, people have made judgements about me when they have not met me because I am part-URM. When they find out that I've done well at a private school and my score are towards the high end of non-white scores...they are shocked. They fumble and tell me I'm lucky that I'm a URM. Lucky?! I've had to deal with being "different" my whole life. It was an external imposition based on social views and norms.</p>
<p>Hope this adds to the dialogue and this doesn't turn into a flame board.
IB.</p>
<p>I agree that AA should be based on economic standing and not race. Of course there are racials issues even for the wealthy, but that's not what prevents someone from excelling in school, while being poor and having to work after school instead of ECs or homework would affect grades. The whole idea of AA definitely needs to be revised. It was meant to help minorities to get into schools, but then they end up being in a potentially worse environment where people think that they're at the school because of their skin. This is especially sad for those who are completely qualified to be in the school, but no one would believe it.</p>
<p>Again, a poor white kid will not be "visibly" different than an affluent white kid on the street, while a wealth black kid will be treated like All black kids are treated.</p>
<p>I hope that you are not suggesting that those two instances are somehow equal with respect to how society treats URMs versus non-URMs.</p>
<p>awesome, i didn't think so many people would actually be against AA! surprising!
ECONOMIC affirmative action is the way to go. not even the rich can object to that.
the only people that object to economic AA seem to be the wealthy URM's.
there is a problem with economic AA though. we have need blind admissions at top schools for a reason: so that they wont accept more wealthy kids just so that htey dont have to offer them aid. if we had economic aa, we might find that schools turn down poor kids because they ahve to offer them more money....
just a thought</p>
<p>awesome, i didn't think so many people would actually be against AA! surprising!
ECONOMIC affirmative action is the way to go. not even the rich can object to that.
the only people that object to economic AA seem to be the wealthy URM's.
there is a problem with economic AA though. we have need blind admissions at top schools for a reason: so that they wont accept more wealthy kids just so that htey dont have to offer them aid. if we had economic aa, we might find that schools turn down poor kids because they ahve to offer them more money....
just a thought</p>
<p>Personally, I am qualified for what could be termed highly competitive colleges. But, depending on who I am with, I am either treated well (with non-URMs) or avoided (with URMs).</p>
<p>Do they check to see if I come from an affluent house before they decide on how they treat me??? Nope. Not in my experience.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Umm...certain URMs because of their skin tone are discriminated against even if they have money.</p>
<p>Have you seen Laguna Beach...jeez. Poor non-minorities can blend in and walk on campus without others knowing their socioeconomic status. That is true of URMs as well, though their ethnicity is sometimes apparent. </p>
<p>People always say they are not racist, but they obviously do not understand that a URM represents a group, more often than a URM represents him or herself, at least in the eyes of others. I've been to Southern California (LA and San Diego) and have heard things that would make a sailor blush. Non-minorities at least represent themselves first, and a group second because they have the power (i.e. majority), at least according to psychologist, anthropologist, and sociologist.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Indian, persians, insert uncommon minority here. They recieve much more racism than blacks on a regular basis in the modern day, but guess what?</p>
<p>NO AA FOR THEM.</p>
<p>3/3 of my muslim friends fathers are on no fly lists. Do you think they could just "convert" and change? No becuase they are middle eastern and as such wear it on their skin.</p>
<p>Muslim cartoons, denunciations, and what not are regularly shown. Ignorant people have 0 idea of the muslim faith or what it means; nor do they attempt to sympathize.</p>
<p>Blacks are not a "discriminated" race modern day. Hell, white people go out of their way to NOT offend a black man in many cases. </p>
<p>Are blacks on no fly lists?
Are blacks viewed as terrorists?</p>
<p>Nope, so stop crying that its becuase youre black; if youre poor you have a point.</p>
<p>I'm not sure I understand what you're saying about the double treatment, IsleBoy.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Again, a poor white kid will not be "visibly" different than an affluent white kid on the street, while a wealth black kid will be treated like All black kids are treated.</p>
<p>I hope that you are not suggesting that those two instances are somehow equal with respect to how society treats URMs versus non-URMs.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Except from the clothes on their back. White trash is picked out from what someone wears, and being considered white trash is an enormous sterotype.</p>
<p>I personally feel that affirmative action is a good thing, but the way it is currently being assesed is ineffective. it should be done on a case by case basis.</p>
<p>Ummm...</p>
<p>Actually, that is not tru. Kids whoses parents came from the Middle East are sometimes considered URMs...just depends on where they were from. And, yes, there is a lot of discrimination that they face...especially after 9/11.</p>
<p>But, what makes you believe that the same thing did not happen when the OJ verdict came out? When the million man march happend, did you see the news coverage? The problem is that people in positions of power (usually non-URMs, except in Hawaii) can be quick to judge based on their experience in America.</p>
<p>The 1960's is not that ancient a happening, nor are the church burnings, and profiling.</p>
<p>The current discrimination against those of Middle Eastern descent is aweful. But, that just shows what a majority of non-URM Americans feel. It's the deed, not the pretty words.</p>
<p>Just my opinion.
IB</p>
<p>PS--I am not saying every non-URM is discriminitory. I just think they have less practical experience being treated as if they were outside the mainstream.</p>