I am a highschool senior, and junior year i took the psat and checked the box saying i am an african american student and that I would like to be considered for the national achievement program. Months later my school got a letter saying i qualified for the award, but my school wrote them back saying I was white and that I must have made a mistake. Can they really deny me an award because of my race?..And havent scientists traced dna and theorized that all people are from Africa…making me African American?
How can anyone tell you what race you are? if I say I’m black can thy tell me that i’m wrong?
<p>I am saying that denying a person an award ONLY because they are the wrong race is morally disgusting! If there was a program where you had to be white to be eligible I would say that is morally disgusting. All people should have an equal chance...right?</p>
<p>"I am saying that denying a person an award ONLY because they are the wrong race is morally disgusting! If there was a program where you had to be white to be eligible I would say that is morally disgusting. All people should have an equal chance...right?"</p>
<p>Because America has historically treated minorities equal to white people. No, there has never been a history of violent, brutal oppression of black people in this country. No political figure has ever shouted, "Segragation NOW, segregation TOMORROW, and segregation FOREVER." </p>
<p>Look, I'm a bona fide "white guy," and even I realize that someone from an underprivileged area (or a minority) should jump in line ahead of me, simply because of all relatively easy life I've led.</p>
<p>I totally understand where you are coming from...as far as affirmative action goes I can see why people believe that race can be a FACTOR for college admission, but it cant be the ONLY FACTOR! I wouldnt mind if maybe they added a few points to minority scores or something, but to make race a requirement? Thats totally different from affirmative action or trying to make up for historical social injustices.....</p>
<p>And no- I'm not mad or angry or anything...I am just arguing based on principle</p>
<p>I see your point, but if you look, whoever is giving the money is really in charge of who it goes to. I mean, who was the genius that decided only pretty girls got money for being Miss America? Isn't that unfair to the homely ones? And what about athletic scholarships? Should the fact that I have uncontrollable asthma disqualify me from athletic scholarships? I could, hypothetically, be a damn good...I dunno, field hockey goalie! Just as you, hypothetically, could be black.</p>
<p>This is similar to affrimative action policies where they automatically add points to the admissions "portfolio" for race. I am suggesting that as an option that would pacify people that take this perspective. This I suggested for a specific award (Natonal Achievement Program would add points on for their prposes- NOT college board)......You obviously missed the point of this arbitrary example- I am just saying that maybe minority status should be a factor not a requirement!</p>
<p>Ok, firstly... it was declared unconstitutional to just "add points" to portfolio for race. </p>
<p>Secondly, what would this gain?? minority status would still be a factor, all you're doing is adding points for being a minority. And who chooses how much points and how many is ok... our policy creates more problems than it solves...</p>
<p>affirmative action isn't about giving "points" to minorities. It's about so much more. you need to do some research before you start saying things. you're making yourself look bad... :(</p>
<p>Ok- I may be too "stupid" to understand, but you (David Rune)are just arguing against affirmative action...this is not what the topic is about!! I am arguing that even if you take that view, than the policies of the NAP are still unjust. I was just making concessions to people who belive in Affirmative action. I am saying that either way the NAP's policies are unjust.</p>
<p>"Look, I'm a bona fide "white guy," and even I realize that someone from an underprivileged area (or a minority) should jump in line ahead of me, simply because of all relatively easy life I've led."</p>
<p>Are you saying that any minority, even one who has lived a privileged life, somehow deserves to "jump in line ahead of you"</p>
<p>The National Achievement Scholarship Program isn't unjust because they can set the requirements for who's elgible and who isn't. It's just like any other scholarship competition, the people giving the money determine what people get the money (i.e. athletes, people planning to major in a certain field, cheerleaders, etc.) they have to give and in this case the NAP is saying that all people who enter the competition must be black. Get over it.</p>
<p>"Are you saying that any minority, even one who has lived a privileged life, somehow deserves to "jump in line ahead of you""</p>
<p>Basically. Look at life in America: Who are the most powerful people? White males. As a white male, I have far more career opportunities open to me than any other demographic. So if it takes me going to the University of Washington instead of Chapel Hill to get a more represented minority culture in positions of power, that's how it goes.</p>