Does this seem FAIR to you?

southzeztpdot · February 7, 2009, 7:18pm

Being Black/Latino is a disadvantage itself being the society. Just because your family makes the same as a race doesnt mean your treated the same. I live in a bigger suburb and there is a large white population. Do you know how many black jokes Ive heard? Do you know how much times I hear people saying flat out racist things and have to take it in stride?

To those who are wondering why can't blacks and Hispanics just get out of poverty I would like you to read up on the 40s, 50s, and 60s. When blacks where trying to get into schools you know what happened? There were rocks thrown at us and a frenzy. There has been so much in the past to stop blacks from being equal with their white counterparts how dare anyone be upset because we are starting to get a little slack.

plue00 · February 7, 2009, 7:50pm

Blacks even have colleges just for Black people. HBCU, another thing that isn't fair. sure they let in 1-3& other aces but still.

Obstinate · February 7, 2009, 7:57pm

Well, technically, wouldn't you get in over a highly qualified minority at a HBCU? Just so they can add a little diversity to their campuses. See? AA in reverse! :)

abercrombieindy · February 7, 2009, 9:20pm

HBCU is fair because it's historically black. These colleges started out way back when majority of the colleges were only for white people and they couldn't get in. They were so that blacks could have a place to learn and feel comfortable. Most of the colleges and universities now have an overwhelming white majority so I guess that's not right either. :(

Millancad · February 7, 2009, 10:54pm

I really don't get these comments about throwing out the ideal of diversity. I do not want to go to a school where 1% of the population looks like me. I will not apply to such a school. I've never had to do so in order to get a good education. I've never had to live in such a monoracial neighborhood to have a nice, safe home. And lots of URM agree with me. I don't think a lot of white people get what it feels like to always be a tiny minority. In a ton of my AP classes, there are only 5 black students in a class of 25 to 30. I was in an 8th and 9th grade Honors program where there were 7 black people out of 80. Most whites will never, ever find themselves in such a situation, and usually, when ones I know do, they're incredibly uncomfortable. When white girls I know have to deal with little 7-10 year old black girls touching their hair in awe, they don't like it. Why does it upset people so much that colleges want to create an environment where people can feel comfortable?
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't like AA. I wish we could have 10+ percent URM at every college without it. But for now, we can't, and I'd rather have AA than be forced to go to a school where I have to search out someone like me if I want a good education. (And no, I don't have only black friends. the vast majority of my friends are white or Asian. And yes I am often mistaken for biracial, so I don't really mean someone who looks just like me.)

fromthesouth · February 8, 2009, 12:06am

I go to a school that is around half black and is very poor. Somehow I manage to rise above my "poor opportunities" STOP APOLOGIZING FOR LOW ACHIEVING BLACKS! It is their fault, not white peoples.

Tboonepickens · February 8, 2009, 1:19am

^although you sound angry, I rather agree with your post. My point that I made earlier is that I think AA type advantages should be based on your community setting, and therefore your zip code, not the color of your skin, should be the largest AA type factor affecting someones chances. Colleges could keep tabs on each zip code and adjust the AA type leeway they give to applicants based on the avg wealth/population density.

kevmus · February 8, 2009, 2:16am

Here are some statistics that show why AA is necessary:
('best off' race at top of each category)

Average Income by race (2004 census):
Asian $57,518
Non-Hispanic White $48,977
Hispanic $34,241
Black $30,134

Percentage of population without health insurance (2004 census):
11.3% Non-Hispanic White
16.8% Asian
19.7% Black
32.7% Hispanic

Rate of victimization by violent crime (here asians are mixed in with white and hispanics are placed by skin color)
8.2 per 1000 White
14.6 per 1000 Black

Average SAT Score by race (2003)
-------------------math/verbal (total)
Asian American-----575/508 (1083)
White-----534/529 (1063)
Other ----513/501 (1014)
American Indian---482/480 (962)
Other Hispanic----464/457 (921)
Puerto Rican----457/448 (905)
African American-----426/431 (857)

Average ACT score by race (2003)
Asian American---- 21.8
Prefer Not to Respond -----21.8
Caucasian---- 21.7
Multiracial-----20.9
No Response-----20.1
Other ----19.3
Hispanic----19.0
American Indian---18.7
Mexican American----18.3
African American ----16.9

Unemployment Rate (Jan 2009)
Asian 6.2%
White 7.8%
Black 13.4%

Percent High School Graduates (census 2007)
White 89.4%
Asian 85.8%
Black 80.1%
Hispanic 60.6% (lower than I expected!)

Percent Bachelor's Degree (census 2007)
Asian 49.5%
White 30.5%
Black 17.3%
Hispanic 12.5%

Percent Advanced Degree (census 2007)
Asian 19.6%
White 11.3%
Black 5.8%
Hispanic 3.9%

Average income with a Bachelor's Degree (census 2007)
White $48,667
Asian $46,857
Black $41,972
Hispanic $40,068

Whites and Asians have easier lives on average. They tend to have more health care, income, less crime committed on them, less unemployment, and higher ACT and SAT scores. 2 out of 5 hispanics drop out of high school. About half as many blacks graduate from college than whites. Four times as many asians graduate from college as hispanics. Even after graduating from college, blacks and hispanics still make $4000-$8000 less every year on average - that's around $250,000 over a lifetime with the SAME DEGREE.

Asians are the new whites. They outperform in nearly every category. There simply arent enough hispanic or black students that are 'rich' and white or asian students that are 'poor' to bother switching to socioeconomic and opening a can of worms with accountants and lawyers. Can you imagine the consequences if getting your parents to quit their jobs for a few months might really help you get in to college?

Warning: Biased opinions follow.

I am Hispanic and proud of it. I've tried to only use statistics above, without letting my point of view skew the results.

People look at an Asian person and expect him to be a doctor or a violin player at a top orchestra or both.

People look at a White person and expect him to choose his favorite career and go for it.

People look at a Black person and expect him to be a gang member or - at best - a construction worker.

People look at a Hispanic person and expect him to be a janitor or a maid.

When someone tries to break free and go above what is expected of him, he should be helped as much as possible, and that is why affirmative action needs to stay.

Until you eliminate White and Asian advantage in EVERY other racial statistic (that I could find), don't take away the Hispanic and Black advantage in college admissions.

vonlost · February 8, 2009, 2:49am

Why the continued debate? AA isn't going away, no matter how much some whine.

If you dislike it, apply to public colleges where you won't be affected by it, and won't be around anyone helped by it.

Obstinate · February 8, 2009, 2:49am

Grand post kevmus!

Also, the Hispanic graduation rate is so low due to many factors, mostly due to the language barrier. ESL students often score lowest in school.

plue00 · February 8, 2009, 2:10pm

[quote]
Here are some statistics that show why AA is necessary:
('best off' race at top of each category)