But critics — many within the Asian-American community — have questioned the real motive behind these cases, charging that both may be using the alleged racial discrimination against Asian-Americans as a wedge issue to promote a much larger agenda: the dismantling of affirmative action.
“They are trying to confuse people,” University of California Irvine sociologist Jennifer Lee said of the language used in the Harvard complaint. “They don’t discuss affirmative action, but are very deliberate about using the term ‘quotas,’ because it tends to provoke controversy among Americans.”
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONERS YAKI AND NARASAKI
While we have not reviewed the actual complaint against Harvard University, we hope that this is a sincerely raised issue and not a back door attack on affirmative action that attempts to pit Asian Americans against other minorities, as other efforts have been. Like a majority of Asian Americans, we stand together as long-time supporters of affirmative action. Affirmative action creates opportunities for students disadvantaged by race and circumstances, and a diverse student body ensures that the next generation of Americans is exposed to the variety of life experiences and backgrounds that will help them to build vibrant communities and successfully work in the global economy.
Neither of us believes that any racial or ethnic group should be subjected to quotas. Nor do we believe that test scores alone entitle anyone to admission at Harvard. Students are more than their test scores and grades. Well-constructed and properly implemented admissions programs further our principles of equal opportunity. While we understand that some programs may be imperfect, or even need substantial reform, we do not support any attempt to eliminate affirmative action programs at Harvard or any institution of higher learning.
We will closely review the complaint and the University’s response and closely monitor developments in this situation.
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The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has previously found the argument that racial disparities in admissions are de facto evidence of discriminatory quotas to be unpersuasive. No new evidence has thus far been presented by anti-affirmative action lobbyists since those findings
As individuals and more than 135 organizations across the United States that serve and represent Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, we believe that equal opportunity is a cherished principle in American society that must be protected. Our universities should reflect our diverse democracy and expand opportunities for those students who have overcome significant barriers. Rather than letting ourselves be divided, we must come together to ensure increased opportunities and success for all students.
Affirmative action does not constitute quotas
Unfortunately, there have been attempts by some to engage in divisive wedge politics by using misguided, misleading tactics to attack equal opportunity by calling for an end to race sensitive admissions policies at educational institutions such as Harvard University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Opponents of affirmative action have wrongfully and disingenuously equated affirmative action with quotas.
The truth is that affirmative action does not constitute quotas.
Affirmative action does not exclude or limit the admission of students from any specific racial or ethnic background. Indeed, the United States Supreme Court long ago prohibited quotas in the higher education admissions process, including banning limits on the admission or enrollment of any racial or ethnic group.
To be clear, we oppose quotas, discrimination, and bias against any racial or ethnic group.
Affirmative action promotes equal opportunity for all
We support affirmative action which, as noted above, does not constitute quotas, discrimination, or bias against Asian Americans.
Currently, affirmative action at universities consists of race sensitive holistic admissions policies. These policies promote equal opportunity in a society where racism still exists and racial barriers continue to unfairly limit educational opportunities for students of color. For example, our schools are more segregated today than they were in the late 1960s. Students of color, particularly African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Southeast Asians, are much more likely to attend under-resourced K-12 schools. Implicit bias and stereotyping also further impact and harm the educational learning environments and opportunities of students of color. Universities should consider these factors when reviewing applications for admissions.
All students benefit from the racially and ethnically diverse learning environments fostered by race sensitive holistic admissions processes, including the benefits of increased cross-racial understanding, reduction of stereotyping and isolation of minority students, and training for a diverse workforce and society.
Affirmative action simply takes into account whether an applicant has overcome significant obstacles and institutional barriers, such as racial and ethnic discrimination
Affirmative action simply takes into account whether an applicant has overcome racial and ethnic adversity as one of several factors in a holistic review of an applicant’s qualifications, leadership, and potential. Holistic admissions processes also consider, for example, whether an applicant has endured poverty or is the first in her family to attend college.
Moreover, in the context of college admissions, “merit” cannot be quantified by grade point average, SAT scores, or number of activities alone. Instead, life experiences such as overcoming racial and ethnic adversity are critical factors in a student’s leadership and potential contribution to the university and to our society. In addition, numbers, like grade point averages and standardized test scores, are not colorblind and often reflect and magnify K-12 educational inequities.
Equal opportunity strengthens our democracy
Affirmative action policies help to level the playing field and promote diverse university learning environments that are essential in our multiracial and multicultural society. Our democracy benefits from a diverse and educated populace and workforce.
Those who are truly committed to equal educational opportunity should demonstrate real leadership and reinvest in higher education throughout the nation to expand access, affordability, equity, and student success. Decades of disinvestment in higher education across the country have made college less accessible for all students, especially students of color. We call for unity in standing up for the future of our youth and realizing the promise of equal opportunity for all in the United States.
哈佛之所以成为哈佛是经过超一百多年的经验和经营的积累。这个成功除了教书育人外,对学生的挑选也是成功的关键之一。如何挑选学生有哈佛自己的一套经验和考虑。如果你认为哈佛挑选的方向不对,那是否你认为你的看法比哈佛好?如果你认为是这样,那你还去哈佛干嘛?自己开办大学就好了呗,是吗?!
不顾你承认与否,美国人在种族上是扎堆的。例如大多数的黑人还是和黑人玩,大多数西裔和西裔玩,大多数亚裔和亚裔玩。哈佛招取某些族裔的优秀学生加以培养,目的是把他们变成领导者。你认为你爬上藤校的小亚裔可以将来可以西裔社区领袖?人家黑人团体会因为你SAT分数高藤校毕业就听你的?开什么玩笑。
我并不期望改变你的观点,你不愿讨论也是你的自由,悉听尊便。
我先结束这'讨论'.
AA是权宜之计. diversity 会长久, 这是美国的优势, 不会放弃的.
即便在有利AA的判例中,最高法院也给出25年的期限,表明AA只是一种权宜,目标是race-neutral。那种强化或长期化AA的论调是反历史潮流的。正确的做法是让AA逐渐式微。
美国高校有各种难易程度的专业, 同一专业里有各种难易程度的课程.
只有被接受的, 都有希望找到合适的专业/课程, 完成学业.
Grutter v. Bollinger
Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action
其实把大学看成争夺的资源本身就是一个误区,这导致受到照顾入学者最后毕业困难,除非你每门课都给他照顾,但这还象大学么?这个误区也包括那些恶补考题高分低能者,入门后表现不好又有什么用?
It gives the outputs in a clear manner, w/o saying anything about the inputs. Holistic methods aim to see the whole picture.
"Moreover, in the context of college admissions, “merit” cannot be quantified by grade point average, SAT scores, or number of activities alone. Instead, life experiences such as overcoming racial and ethnic adversity are critical factors in a student’s leadership and potential contribution to the university and to our society. In addition, numbers, like grade point averages and standardized test scores, are not colorblind and often reflect and magnify K-12 educational inequities."
This is what the leftists always say. Then what is merit? If you ask every college admissions officer, they would tell you that GPA, SAT, AP, etc are how they measure ACADEMIC achievements. Do we really want to go to the route of twisting the facts? We can argue about why there are performance discrepancy, but we cannot deny that there have to be a way to measure academics and there is a way to measure it. I would be more satisfied if they argue that "GPA, SAT and AP" are not indicators whether a student can graduate college or whether a student can be successful in the future. If the colleges really believe those are not merits, why are they publishing all those number to show that they have certain academic standards?
现在是严重僧多粥少. 无论如何分这个蛋糕, 都有人或者族裔觉得不fair的.
Did you read, http://blog.wenxuecity.com/myblog/14895/201506/12437.html
See the ratios there.
Besides, as said in the blog, in 1990, 2006 and 2010, we've seen the same complaints and the US Cmmissioners' comments this time show little patience.
That is so true. I am not against civil right or AA. I think we should learn from this. If some of us feel we are unfairly treated, we should have the courage to voice our opinions. Instead of being afraid or shy or angering some other groups. In the end, by fighting for equal treatment, we are helping the society to grow.
Again, it is good that there are different opinions on whether we are discriminated or not. In the end, we are over-represented as a group in a lot of ivy+ colleges. The bigger question is: is this good for society? Is it OK to deny some kids' chances to go to Harvard because they are Asian as a group?
哈佛怎么也不会像caltech 那样.
1. STEM不是哈佛主题, 最多1/3
2. 女生大减
3. 子坛里, Caltech 不受欢迎.
-"此大战刚出师, 黑人墨裔已经闻风而动, 很快地布局" Other minority don't feel guilty that Asian is the minority that is disadvantaged. Why are we so shy of asking for fair treatment? For the sake of pleasing others? This is high education we are talking about. Jews are over-represented, but on one seems to be bothered. Look at Cal Tech, there are a lot of Asian students. No one thinks that the university is hurt by the high percentage of Asian students.
看懂了 "back door attack on affirmative action that attempts to pit Asian Americans against other minorities" 的意思?