<p>You know what? I think you’re right. Ish.</p>
<p>A few months ago, I watched an episode of the Cosby show where a woman announced that she was a graduate of Princeton University and thereafter was represented as a figure to look up to, a role model. She certainly was, but the first thing that came to my mind was “affirmative action” and that thought — it completely spoiled the whole moment, and began a period of doubt about what people who don’t know me well might think if I do end up at an Ivy League college and they learn of it. Like in that moment, their first thought might not be “wow” but “affirmative action” and instead of praise I would earn scorn or cyncism. </p>
<p>The fact of the matter is that socioeconomic status is enough of a boost to rich blacks in college admissions. The affirmative action is already there and sufficiently motivated black students with those resources have no excuse to perform at a lower level than other students. Cultural capital, be damned.</p>
<p>Socioeconomic AA may not bring as many blacks into top colleges, but it would bring in the right ones — the ones I’ve been arguing for. And while it’s easier for a poor white or poor asian to succeed academically than a poor black, bringing more of these into the mix would be nearly as good.</p>
<p>It would be rewarding merit where merit is due and truly confront other students with issues of diversity that they can’t dismiss with the cynicism that affirmative action has the tendency to evoke. It would make affirmative action, itself, colorblind, permitting its beneficial effects while curtailing reputational one.</p>
<p>And those who do succeed, those who actually do overcome the limitations of their backgrounds, be it race or class or both — they would be able to take their places at top colleges without shame — and their positions of leadership in America without that elitist perspective. Universities would be unequivocally instead of indirectly effecting realizations of the American dream.</p>
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<p>There are some issues, though.</p>
<p>Mismatch would still be a huge problem, so schools would have to devote many resources to helping toward graduation and success those they admit.</p>
<p>And race issues would still go untouched. Affirmative action hasn’t been helping much, though. Du Bois’s top ten percent just won’t arise artificially — by any hand but their own. Intervention will have to be done at some other point by those who make it and still care about those who don’t.</p>
<p>Ugh. I might change my mind back. But this seems okay atm.</p>