CON: Affirmative Action is Based on Unfairness by Mateo De Alba

As a Mexican-American, it may seem like I would be in favor of affirmative action and the benefits it will bring to college admissions. However, I have grown to appreciate the removal of affirmative action even if it makes it slightly harder for me to get into some top universities than it previously was. 

Although there is no lack of colleges in the United States for Americans to apply to regardless of race. I believe that the elite colleges that are in favor of affirmative action can be the most important to get into even if it only affects such a small percentage of college students in America. 

There’s a strong relationship between attending an elite school and being successful. While only 2%-5% of all US undergraduates graduate from top schools, 38% of Fortune 500 company CEOs and 44.8% of billionaires graduated from elite institutions. There is a link between success and these elite colleges.

There is a link between success and these elite colleges.

So why separate the United States more and more by focusing on race rather than other factors that would benefit one student over the other like wealth? I understand that colleges do also look into the wealth of the students when considering them but I believe it should be a larger factor to consider rather than race in college admissions. Both of my parents are Mexican immigrants and I have never felt like I have had a disadvantage because of the color of my skin however I see economic privilege having a larger effect on success than those born into wealthier families. Children from families in the top 1% financially are more than twice as likely to attend an elite university than those from middle-class families. 

It may be true that some students blame too much on affirmative action, however, I have seen this going both ways: many students blame society’s oppression and their race as a factor for why they didn’t get into an elite school also shifting the blame from extracurriculars, essays, etc…

Although there may be other educational opportunities for students to take, that opportunity is given to all people so why did we still factor race into elite schools if “one can be successful after graduating from anywhere”?

Diversity can play a huge role in conversation as everyone has a different perspective on life because of the culture or place that they were born and raised in, However, colleges continue to push for more and more “safe spaces” for students of specific cultures which doesn’t seem like that would create diverse perspectives or conversations if colleges push for a separation of diversity regardless. 

“College is meant to be a melting pot of cultures and perspectives. It is meant to be a place where students can harness free speech and broaden their horizons by exposing themselves to unique views whether liberal or conservative. This is what is meant to open their minds and prepare them for the professional world. However, the exact opposite has been happening in the past few years. Students nowadays have developed a need to be protected from words and ideas that they deem hurtful or unacceptable — a trend that is now becoming more known as the coddling of the American mind (Lukianoff & Haidt, 2015).”

Although I agree that affirmative action was once needed it truly seems like it is no longer needed as many minorities have started and/or have been building wealth. For example, my family was not born in the United States and they never saw their race as a disadvantage as they were still able to become very successful. Between 2016 and 2019, median wealth rose for all race and ethnicity groups (Figure 2). Growth rates for the 2016–19 period were faster for Black and Hispanic families, rising 33 and 65 percent, respectively, compared to White families, whose wealth rose 3 percent, and other families, whose wealth rose 8 percent.

If we look to improve the mistakes that were once committed in the United States it is important to ensure equality in every way shape or form. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. even stated, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” So if we look to improve the mistakes that were once committed in the United States it is important to ensure equality in every way shape or form.