Does affirmative action benefit minority students in higher education?

Question

Is affirmative action in today's colleges and universities admissions policies fair? Does admitting less-qualified minorites comprimise educational standards? If so, should minorities be denied the chance of higher education?

Answer 1

Of course, no student should be denied a quality higher education on the basis of an accident of genetics. But no college admissions criteria should take a superficial standard such as "race" into account in deciding admissions; to do so is discrimination. But my objection to affirmative action is bigger than the usual quibble over whether it gives "minorities" an unfair advantage--in fact, the systems victimizes the people its intended to help by stigmatizing them before society; no matter their level of academic success, they will never be see as having accomplished anything on their own merits, and this is a cloud which will follow them the rest of their lives. It boggles the mind how so-called "civil rights" leaders can blindly support something which only ends of trapping people in a dead-end path of mediocrity and resentment; all affirmative action programs accomplish is give the liberal race baiters something to harp on, while leaving thousands of otherwise capable people behind. No citizen ever achieved success through this draconian program, and it should be eliminated immediately, before another young generation is damaged.

Answer 2

Affirmative action is simple reverse discrimination - handing out goodies to unqualified people.
To be accepted by and enrolled in an institution of higher learning, one should demonstrate the ability to enter by means of a color-blind test, and demonstrate the ability to get through with grade inflation or "social promotion".
In short - Affirmative Action is one of the biggest boondoggles for "minorities", whatever they are.

Answer 3

I know there are qualified ones and unqualified ones, but I still don't think it's fair. A popular university near me lists "ethnicity, economic background, overcoming ethnic diversity" as important factors for admission...how is that fair for white guys?