<p>First of all I would like to say that I do not agree with Affirmative Action because I do not think it is fair. I do agree with programs to improve the access to higher education for all, especially those vulnerable groups that are economically and socially disadvantaged. </p>
<p>But that is actually not why I am writing this post. I am writing this post in reaction to some of the very hateful rhetoric that I have been reading in this thread in these past few days. It is absolutely appalling to me to see some of the things that you all are saying out of resentment and anger. </p>
<p>The stories that some of you have mentioned about how hard you and your families have worked when coming to this country and the pride you feel in all that you accomplished is truly inspiring. But why do you have to raise yourselves up by putting others down? Who are you to judge? What good does it do? </p>
<p>I am talking about these comments:</p>
<p>Ilovecalifornia: “while i admit that african-americans are at a disadvantage, i think it comes down to the culture...when a community (any community) has mothers who choose to strip and take the easy route to make money, irresponsible fathers who are absent in their children's life, etc etc then you have a cultural problem…”</p>
<p>Baseless, hateful, stereotype.</p>
<p>Jslee1026:“Not all immigrants end up in ghettos for their lives. Some actually TRY. But those who try are discriminated by the system intended to help them. Sadly those who are lazy and ignorant take advantage of it.”</p>
<p>The problem of Ghettos is a deeper socioeconomic problem that is completely different and separate from those that immigrants face. </p>
<p>TehRahk: “The trouble with the world is not that a black person can't get in a restaurant somewhere. The trouble is that a black person can't get thrown out. "
I like that quote, because this reminds me of the Michael Richards incident. Before he went on his racial slur tirade, he should have asked the black people that were heckling either to leave or hush up.
I feel that no one told them to shut up because they were afraid to be called a racist. But if you stand firmly against the reason you gave then no one could have good reason to believe that you are a racist.
Now we see the consequence that erupted from that situation.”</p>
<p>Is this anything else but a justification of a completely disgusting racial explosion of racial slurs? I have never attended a comedy club where a comedian was not heckled at some point. Sometimes even worse than the Michael Richard’s incident. But does that heckling justify his racial slur? Would he have been called racist for asking hecklers to leave to club? I highly doubt that.</p>
<p>Let me share with you my personal experience as a minority in the k-12 educational system. Not every minority experiences this kind of racism but this is still prevalent, even today. This is the story of a the systematic marginalization of a student because of their race. And no this story is not that uncommon, it may not be as extreme as this but African-American, Latino and Native American youth still face tremendous difficulties in the school system because of these stereotypes. This happens to poor, Caucasian youth as well. Then add to this the problems that they face outside of school with higher incidence of poverty and all its socioeconomic ramifications, this truly is a problem in our school systems. I am not saying that Asian American immigrants do not face the same problems too, but I just want those of you who have such hateful stereotypes against these groups.</p>
<p>No I do not believe that affirmative action is the solution. But I do think its great to see initiatives to help those in need get access to higher education .</p>
<p>Most of my elementary school was in rural Minnesota where my family was the only black family in the neighborhood. We are not African-American, we are Liberian immigrants who fled the civil war and were granted asylum here. My teachers rarely spoke to me directly (never with my other classmates, Caucasian and Asian), routinely made me an example of mockery to the other classmates and actively encouraged my isolation from the rest of the students. I got Es on my report card, each quarter.</p>
<p>Now, after getting out of that school and after some remedial work at subsequent schools, I was reading at a 9th grade reading level in the 4th grade and was taking high school courses in middle school. So do you think at that time my grade point average was truly reflective of the student I was in side? No. Although I do not believe in Affirmative action I believe that those from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, if given some remediation truly excel.</p>
<p>That’s my story. I know so many more minorities with similar stories. Or stories of having to work to help make ends meet for their families. </p>
<p>If an admissions committee reads an essay like that and decides to give that candidate preference becase of thier essay (not necessarily their race), I enthusiastically support that. I believe that everyone deserves access to higher education and it is up to those admissions committees to determine who those people are. It is tough when you are not admitted to the school of your choice but please do not be so quick to point to affirmative action being the reason for your rejection because there may have been other factors at play.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading.</p>