https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 19 Jun 2026 06:56:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2386016 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:03:32 +0000 mrsjazz 2386016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: I would also like to see this resolved during prek-12. We are having an issue with our school district, specifically middle schools and how racially segregated they are right now. Some Black &amp; Latino parents have complained about how they're children have been pushed out of the good (read White) schools even though they have the grades.</p> <p>Universal pre-k is one tool our Mayor and Dept. of Education are using to help get a jump start--but it's going to take a lot more. NYC one of the most diverse places with the most segregated school districts--and you can guess which schools have the most resources and best PTAs raising lots of money. But I digress :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2386012 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:57:48 +0000 mrsjazz 2386012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I am for affirmative action, but I know that colleges don't only take race &amp; ethnicity into account, but it's one piece of a large puzzle. </p> <p>I don't know that I've ever benefited from affirmative action--my college was pretty diverse and I received a scholarship that had nothing to do with diversity (journalism). I think my college is noted as one of the most diverse liberal arts school upstate NY.</p> <p>I've also worked at pretty diverse places--I have never been the "only" Black person at my company--usually just in my department. </p> <p>Even with that said there have been people who have assumed I've gotten certain things in my life because of affirmative action, which is a really sucky.</p> <p>I think Abigail Fisher is a moron. #StayMadAbby</p> <p>I just read this article:<br /> <a href="http://www.forharriet.com/2015/07/abigail-fisher-please-stop-blaming.html#axzz3tvnzHjwa" rel="nofollow">http://www.forharriet.com/2015/07/abigail-fisher-please-stop-blaming.html#axzz3tvnzHjwa</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2385839 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 15:02:40 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2385839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would rather see these problems fixed at the pre-k through 12th grade level, but I'm for it for now. I don't really know how it works but I hope it's based on the applicant pool rather than a strict sort of "quota." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2385819 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:46:11 +0000 Mae 2385819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) the court case is absurd. </p> <p>2) I'm more comfortable with efforts being made to give more opportunities to kids from poorer schools, low socioeconomic families/areas, first generation college students, etc rather than just race. But it isn't something I feel terribly strong about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2385809 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:39:44 +0000 MrsSCB 2385809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I just read that the girl who sued, starting this case, had SAT scores and a GPA below the average of what UT admits. I don't understand how she came to the conclusion that she was denied admission because of race. Ridiculous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2385039 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 22:12:53 +0000 MoonMoon 2385039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in favor of affirmative action, racial and socio-economic, to ensure progress towards more diversity and fairness in schools and workplaces. I think it's just a drop in the bucket in righting the wrongs of institutional racism in American history. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2384872 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 20:34:24 +0000 erinbaderin 2384872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I recently listened to a fascinating podcast interview with Trevor Noah (Pop Culture Happy Hour) and he said something that really made me think. He was talking about actively recruiting black writers, and he said that you could compare a black and white writer on paper and the white writer might have an edge, but the black writer is bringing something to the room that is lacking - a diverse voice and experiences. If the top 10 candidates are all white men you're going to be lacking something important because you only have one perspective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2384707 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:16:59 +0000 jedeve 2384707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am in favor of this. </p> <p>I got into my top college (a very well regarded public school) on the basis of affirmative action (sorta, I'm white. Let me explain). </p> <p>I grew up in a really rural area. My school was abysmal. We didn't offer classes many would consider basic - physics, French (past two years), calculus, computer science, or really anything much past basic history, English, algebra, biology, gym, band, choir, art. And then you repeat that for four years. I went to a public magnet school for half a day that was an hour away to take STEM classes to get some AP/dual enrollment credit, because my school didn't offer AP classes in anything. There were very few clubs. Teachers were very under qualified (I say that kindly, I know it's a hard job, many just got shuttled to subjects and roles because no one else would.) It was laughably bad. I have so many stories - we got "new" track uniforms one year, as in they gave the girls team the middle school boys old uniforms! My honors English teacher just showed us movies. We watched a movie reel once about how the two hundredth anniversary of the US was "fast approaching." That was in 2002. </p> <p>Thirty miles down the road was one of the best schools in the country. There is no way I could have competed with those kids. They had all the right classes, all of the clubs, internships, everything. But because I went to a public college, they were required to admit students from each county. And because less than a quarter of students from my high school went to college, there wasn't much competition and I got in. I was a good candidate on my own, but I'm not going to pretend that didn't help. </p> <p>When I got to college I wasn't as prepared as other classmates who went to wealthy schools and my grades weren't as good. It took some catching up, but I did really well there and am glad I went. </p> <p>To me, this is analogous to affirmative action. My parents income wouldn't have qualified me for aid, but that's not the only thing that can set you up for disadvantages. Going to my school meant my transcript was probably a joke to the college admission officers. Students of color have to face all sorts of circumstances of disadvantages and prejudice outside of just income. So yes, I am for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2384679 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:48:45 +0000 daniellemybelle 2384679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not sure how race played into my college admissions - I met the requirements so I was admitted. But, it did impact me positively with financial aid. I received the diversity scholarship.</p> <p>I think it has benefitted me in my career to some extent as well though I have no proof of that.</p> <p>I am not concerned about it for my daughter - I think she will have plenty of opportunities because of her social class and hopefully also the racial diversity she would bring will be to her benefit, but she is not personally "in need" of affirmative action the way many other people of color are.</p> <p>I do think affirmative action is important on a broader level though I don't pretend to be an expert at solving these problems.</p> <p>There are things that concern me for my daughter from a racial standpoint but college admissions is not one right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2384339 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 14:00:29 +0000 Mama Bird 2384339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be more fair to have income-based affirmative action. If you're well off, you're going to have every kind of advantage, whatever race you are. If you're poor, being white or Asian will not somehow save you from having to send your kids to crappy schools that will disadvantage them for life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2384328 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:50:30 +0000 LovelyPlum 2384328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure about this. I think that colleges should recruit widely, offer ample financial aid for all students, and have strong support programs for students in vulnerable demographics (first generation college students, etc). That said, I actually think admissions should be race, ethnicity, and gender blind. I think there should be clear-cut standards that a college should aspire to, like certain GPAs, finishing in a certain % of your graduating class, and standardized test scores (these least, though, cause they're super biased). ETA: Also, the % of your graduating class that goes to college is a really big one, I think. That would, or should, help to elevate high-achieving students who come from low-performing schools.</p> <p>I come at this in two ways: I used to work in admissions in a private, selective college, and I've now attended grad school and taught at two different large public research institutions in two different states. My husband is also a high school teacher and works to help prepare high schoolers for standardized tests. My fear is that diversity in admissions does not reflect diversity in graduation...I could be wrong about that, but I'm afraid that I'm not. Meaning, that we should work to admit students who can, with the right support, complete the degree and go on to whatever the field is they've chosen. It does no one any favors to admit students hoping to correct a historical wrong if they can't get through college afterwards. In other words, I would rather see the focus be on better college readiness preparation across the entire population at the high school level and better support for students and families once admitted to college. My suspicion is that if we focused on those two things instead of affirmative action, we would move closer towards our goal of more equal access to higher education. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2384290 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:27:14 +0000 Maysprout 2384290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Colleges consider a lot of stuff. <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/01/the-absurd-lies-of-college-admissions.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/01/the-absurd-lies-of-college-admissions.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2384096 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 11:25:56 +0000 MrsSCB 2384096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: My coworker sent that quote to me and my jaw dropped. WTF.</p> <p>I absolutely support affirmative action. It is a fact that a significant education gap still exists between white Americans and minorities. I thought this was a good overview of the inequalities in our education system. Until we solve those, I'm on board with race being a consideration in admissions. </p> <p><a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2015/01/28/us-education-still-separate-and-unequal" rel="nofollow">http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2015/01/28/us-education-still-separate-and-unequal</a></p> <p>As for the woman who sued, starting this whole thing, how egotistical do you have to be to assume you would have gotten in if it weren't for affirmative action? Yikes. And you know what? I didn't get into my first-choice school that I actually applied early to. It didn't matter. I still went to a university that I loved, got a good job after school and am living a good life. I was lucky to be coming from a place where education was a priority and it was a given that I would go to college. If others who don't have those advantages need a little extra help, we should provide it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383971 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:20:58 +0000 travellingbee 2383971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: my DH was all :shocked: about him saying that black students might do better in slower track schools. Unbelievable suggestion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383938 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:05:56 +0000 lawbee11 2383938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: Yeah, I agree with you (and RBG, of course). </p> <p>SCOTUS blog is a great resource, too. Here's their post on it:<br /> <a href="http://www.scotusblog.com/2015/12/argument-analysis-now-three-options-on-college-affirmative-action/" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotusblog.com/2015/12/argument-analysis-now-three-options-on-college-affirmative-action/</a></p> <p>"But Scalia’s arguments became quite clumsy, and raised some eyebrows, when he suggested that maybe the University of Texas needs fewer minority students, and he suggested that many of them find that the classes are 'too fast' for them at such high-rank institutions, and thus prefer to go to lower-ranked, 'slower-track schools.'" :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383922 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 09:56:25 +0000 MrsKoala 2383922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@RLCeigh: I also work for a selective private institution but not in the same field, and I agree exactly with what you say. We would not be nearly as diverse (although IMHO we are still not even to close diverse enough) without our financial aid policies for underrepresented students. I strongly believe in any policy that allows for access to higher education for those who would not be able to otherwise do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383865 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 09:35:49 +0000 Ms maths 2383865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I am all for them. Both to address historical inequality and current racism/sexism/etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383808 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:57:41 +0000 Anagram 2383808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm all for well thought out policies of affirmative action, whether its through financial aid or admissions until we have a few more generations between us and the segregationist policies of the past. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383759 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:25:57 +0000 RLCeigh 2383759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work in enrollment in a selective college (we are private so different than the case before the supreme court) and we do preferential financial aid packaging for under represented minorities. If we didn't, I think our classrooms wouldn't be as diverse both racially and socioeconomically-- college is where you share ideas and have meaningful discussions to shape how you view the world. I wouldn't want to be in a classroom or campus where everyone looked just like me and came from a similar background. We need to do something to help make our campus more diverse. And have strong support systems in place to support and retain these students. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383711 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 07:43:29 +0000 Grace 2383711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm white and I don't really mind affirmative action policies. I read a book once on how we all have racial biases (due to the culture that we live in). It doesn't mean that we wish harm or less for other races but it might mean that we feel "uncomfortable" around certain races. I can easily see how an employer would choose the white guy over anyone else because they "clicked". Affirmative action policies could help balance out that bias. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383708 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 07:28:43 +0000 travellingbee 2383708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find this case so interesting and I just have to say that I love RBG. She is so thoughtful and sharp. I live in Texas and we are a UT family. I strongly favor the university's policy. And I agree whole heartedly with Ginsbergs thoughts on the top 10 program. DH and I were talking about this. Not only does it discourage black students from seeking a more integrated schooling, it also encourages more advantaged students to transfer to disadvantaged schools to qualify for the top 10 percent program, taking those spots from otherwise qualified students. You would not think this happens but I live in the largest city in Texas and know first hand that it does. Wealthier, middle performing white students transfer for a year or two from a very competitive school where they won't hit top 10%, and scoop up those spots in a less privileged school with more minority students. Thus, just a flat percent program like this doesn't ensure racial diversity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383704 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 07:22:22 +0000 Adira 2383704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: &lt;&lt; I think there are historical inequities that need to be addressed in this country (and others). I'm open to affirmative action as a possible way to achieve that, but I think there should be a lot more creativity in how we right historic wrongs. No one program can shoulder the burden alone... we should have a whole range of programs attempting to do the same. &gt;&gt;</p> <p>Yes, I agree with this.</p> <p>I'm not a minority, but I am a woman engineer, and I do feel like my gender played a role in both my college acceptance and my getting a job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383675 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 03:18:42 +0000 mrbee 2383675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there are historical inequities that need to be addressed in this country (and others). I'm open to affirmative action as a possible way to achieve that, but I think there should be a lot more creativity in how we right historic wrongs. No one program can shoulder the burden alone... we should have a whole range of programs attempting to do the same.</p> <p>Re: race versus poverty, I think both are huge issues in the country but I do think that racial discrimination is a separate issue and needs to be addressed separately. Ta-Nehisi Coates' article in the Atlantic really opened my eyes as to how recent and profound racial discrimination has been in the housing market. So did the One Block story on one block in Bed Stuy over the years. It was amazing how redlining just totally transformed the block.</p> <p><a href="http://nymag.com/oneblock/" rel="nofollow">http://nymag.com/oneblock/</a></p> <p>All that said, I do agree that Asian Americans have paid a pretty heavy price for various affirmative action programs... I think it's worth it overall but the whole model minority/quota stuff gets old after a while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383671 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 02:54:24 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2383671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think affrimative action purely based on race is antiquated and should be abolished! Socioeconomic factors are better indicators. I'm definitely NOT saying that race isn't an issue, because it clearly is, but it shouldn't be the main determinant. I'm Filipino American and I know that it didn't help me get into college (in CA) because Asians are in the majority.</p> <p><a href="http://www.scpr.org/blogs/multiamerican/2014/03/10/16027/sca-5-asian-americans-affirmative-action/" rel="nofollow">http://www.scpr.org/blogs/multiamerican/2014/03/10/16027/sca-5-asian-americans-affirmative-action/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-colleges-consider-race-in-admissions#post-2383668 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 01:32:26 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2383668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Details on the case before the court:<br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/09/politics/affirmative-action-supreme-court-university-of-texas/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/09/politics/affirmative-action-supreme-court-university-of-texas/index.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/09/politics/scalia-black-scientists-scotus/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/09/politics/scalia-black-scientists-scotus/index.html</a></p> <p>Additional articles on Affirmative Action:<br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/us/affirmative-action-fast-facts/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/us/affirmative-action-fast-facts/index.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/13/opinion/granderson-affirmative-action/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/13/opinion/granderson-affirmative-action/index.html</a></p> <p>Do you know if your college admissions used race? What about workplace? Has affirmative action (gender and/ or race) impacted you positively or negatively?</p> <p>Are you concerned about affirmative action (or lack of) impacting your child(ren) positively or negatively? </p>