<p>Need:</p>
<p>Actually, the Japanese/Chinese/Filipinos/Koreans did displace the native Hawaiian population (who were originally traced from around the Yang-Tze River in China by anthropologists) after Captain Cook's landing. So the SAT scores (of which a small percentage are from Native Hawaiians that take the test) are primarily from the Japanese/Chinese/Krean/Filipino cohort, as well as the non-URM cohort. So why, still, low scores?</p>
<p>Also, some of your formative years 0-5 took place in CA, where Asians are sometimes seen as the 'model minority', so you have been or are privy to have developed that sense, whether right or wrong, that Asians are 'better' and that other minorities are characterized as 'losers' (see your last paragraph). That could have been reinforced by the move to Colorado, where you can be cast in the majority for being half-white, as well as a favored minority. You enjoy to an extent majoritarian power. With that 'power' comes some responsibility. Rather than 'blaming the victims for all their problems, recognize that all of us have a part to play in the development of negative stereotypes.'</p>
<p>As for economic equity, women and minorities, before AA, made far less money versus the majority for the same work. They also did not have much access to education, housing, and particular careers. So, it is clear historically and currently (just look at the segregation in Nebraska schools--which boarders Colorado) for proof. The upside is that more women and minorities are going to college. But, I would not say the emphasis on ethnicity has been positive. Why?</p>
<p>Becuase those who enjoy the status quo, or who are seen as a 'model minority' do not want to lose some power to ensure that there is equality of opportunity at the college level (or the elementary or secondary school level, for instance). Some URMs have it worse than the non-URM majority as they may look different. And since most prefer that one 'blends', those that do not look the same are punished, sometimes consciously or unconsciously. Read "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria".</p>
<p>I'm not sure if your last sentence is what you believe or whether you are being sarcastic, but I can only say that by pitting what some might consider a URM group (Chinese/Japanese/Koreans) against other URM groups (i.e. Southeast Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, etc...) one can also believe (perhaps incorrectly) that they are better somehow than the rest. Looking at the posts here on CC, which concern themselves with the inequity in college admission (while not dealing with developmental, special talent, legacy, geographical, and ED candidates because they tend to be non-URMs) is very interesting. The inequity with respect to some URMs education begins far earlier than 17 or 18. There are differences (partly developed through legislation and socio-cutural beliefs and practices) in pre-college schooling, housing, financing, employment, etc...</p>
<p>So equal opportunity as a political or social idea has not been adequately dealt with.</p>
<p>As for the student protests in europe (especially France and England), it is precisely because of institutional segregation in housing, employment, and education that some have rioted. They were not embraced by the majoritarian culture. Why? Becuase, some of them look a bit different. And, the citizens who are part of the status quo have ignored the issues reguarding race. Likewise, some Americans after 9/11 look at Middle Easterners as suspect, hence the rise in violence against them within the past few years. Some Americans have not connected the idea that not all Middle Easterners are of the same mindset. Or if you need another example, look at the Japanese internment during WWII, where American citzens were placed because they had particular characteristics, while other (non-URMs) because they could 'blend' were not treated as suspect.</p>
<p>Equal opportunity or equal treatment?! Perhaps not.</p>
<p>Just an opinion.
IB</p>