Should application "points" be given based on economic class instead of race?

Question

With the Supreme Court's decision in the Michigan case, extra points can be given to applicants of certain races. Wouldn't it make more sense to give the points based upon the economic status of the applicants? This way we could help people of all races that grew up with an economic disadvantage (and perhaps had to work to help the family instead of having extra time to do their homework).

Please only answer this question if you have an intelligent response--no rants on how no extra points should be given. Thank you.

Actually, I believe that Asians are exempt from the extra points because they score the highest on the tests out of all races.

Answer 1

This is correct. Points should be allotted for financial hardship. I think that achievement under economic strain really shows that a person is a winner. Why should a rich black woman gain entry to college over a poor white man who had to work two jobs in high school and still get those grades? Judging on race seems too generalized to me.
However, growing up as a minority can also be tough (as a white male I wouldn't really know). Being black, hispanic, or asian can be a hardship in itself. Racism still prevails, especially in the rural areas around my city. I think that this should also be taken into account. But if this is considered, why isn't being gay, lesbian, Jewish, Islamic or Atheist considered a hardship in our society? Many other sects are persecuted and insulted daily in America.

Perhaps the answer is not a broad generalization using points for class, race, etc. Maybe colleges should look more closely at each individual, evaluating the specific hardships and stuggles they had to overcome, and how that person has succeeded despite them.

Answer 2

Dr Martin Luther King would turn over in his grave. All that the fathers of the civil rights movement wanted was for all people regardless of race,color,or sex to be treated as equals. Fast forward to the present day and you have people like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson looting the life's work of people like Dr King.
They are holding there own people back on purpose to line there own pockets. Not only that there constant crying of "wolf" is hindering the the cause to end racism. They are quick to play the race card in all situations, so other people when they hear the words " because I'm black" they assume it is another case of crying wolf.
Bottom line racism is treating someone different because of there race. Until government becomes color blind and stops sorting us by color they will continue to be racist. In America if you work hard and set goals you will succeed. So the whole point system need to go the wayside.

Answer 3

Listen the only fair thing to do is a lottery.

Especially in a University Setting....

Think of every 4.0 student with the exact same background and activies.....instinguishable from one another...

Where is the fairness in picking between exactly the same people. except with a lottery.

this argument applies to non 4.0's as well the 3.9s to the .01's
that is why other factors count......or else you agree that the lottery system is fairest.



Your argument about points is valid and is taken into account, there are poor people of all races......great.

And that is why income is always included in points, in any decent Unversity anyways.
just like the rich have their points in Life.


But the problem is the goal was alway to compensate 300 years of exclusion from commerical and educational competition.

it is an issue that is not resolved in one generation...which if you figure 64 as year one... and a genration as every 30 years....then you have barely begun to achieve the objective.

Answer 4

I think a combination of economic back ground and academic record should be all that is considered. Using color is just another way to keep the lines dividing this country in place. Aptitude and effort are not measured by color, but by action, and that is what should be taken into account along with the economic status.

Answer 5

it was white male privilege that necessitated the consideration of race in the first place. Until illegal immigration is held in check, white people rule and dominate all opportunity in this country. If white males had been fair in the first place, the court system wouldn't have to FORCE them to open up opportunity for asians, hispanics, indians, white women, and blacks.

you do know that white women have benefitted the most from affirmative action, don't u?

Answer 6

Just another way to keep the white man down. It would make more sense, but it just won't happen. The Supreme Court would rather disappoint thousands of whites than upset one black person.