<p>I’m all for affirmative action based on economic/financial background. If someone was truly disadvantaged, didn’t go to a good high school, or came from a very poor family, then they should by all means get extra attention in admissions.</p>
<p>But affirmative action based on race is ridiculous. The intentions of it are good, but the logic is bad. It assumes all Hispanics and African-Americans are poor and come from disadvantaged backgrounds while all white people and Asians come from rich, well-to-do families when neither of these are true. There are many Hispanics and African-American applicants whose families make more than $100,000, and there are many Asians and white people who come from financially disadvantaged and/or abusive families. </p>
<p>Yes, a higher percentage of URMs may be disadvantaged compared to white people and Asians, but it doesn’t mean that all of them are, and it doesn’t mean that no white people or Asians are disadvantaged. Giving someone special attention and extra help just because they are Hispanic or African-American isn’t very logical. Why on earth should African-American or Hispanic applicants who come from well-to-do families get extra help and special attention in admissions?</p>