Affirmative action vital to fair education

With the ongoing controversy over admissions policies in the UC system, it is clear we are far from having adequately addressed the role of race in university admissions. UC Regent Chair John Moores is alleging that many students with lower SAT scores and GPAs were admitted to UC Berkeley, and possibly UCLA, on the basis of race. However, throughout this entire controversy, it is crucial to remember that the enrollment of underrepresented minorities is still shamefully low. As we approach Affirmative Action Day this Oct. 30, it seems an opportune time to examine the problems caused by Proposition 209 – and to consider the value of reinstating affirmative action.

Affirmative action was effectively ended in California in 1996 by the passage of Proposition 209, a ballot initiative that was partially written by Proposition 54 author Ward Connerly and backed by then-Governor Pete Wilson. Also, in 1995, UC regents had passed SP-1 and SP-2, which essentially curtailed affirmative action before Proposition 209 finally destroyed the idea of engineered racial diversity in university admissions. SP-1 and SP-2 were repealed in 2001, but their repeal remains symbolic, since Proposition 209 still curtails the use of race in almost all decisions made by state bodies.

While all these propositions and proposals make the issue of affirmative action appear legalistic and confusing, examining simple data brings it into clearer focus. enrollment of blacks dropped by 40 percent between 1997, the last year affirmative action was still utilized, and 1998. enrollment of American Indians dropped by 42 percent, and by 26 percent among Latinos. Since 1998, those numbers have rebounded to roughly 1997 levels, but clearly, ground was lost.

Why should this be such a major cause for concern?

Racial diversity brings a variety of perspectives to the university setting, and helps people recognize that different groups have faced different struggles. People of different races often experience life, especially racial prejudice, in different manners. To succeed in our diverse society, it is crucial that we understand these perspectives. Diversity is beneficial to all people, regardless of which ethnic group they happen to belong to.

Many opponents of affirmative action argue that admissions should be colorblind and only consider “merit,” like GPAs and SAT scores. In a perfect system, this would be a laudable goal.

However, the truth is that we are far from living in such a utopia. A substantial number of the poorly-performing schools in Los Angeles are almost entirely black and Latino, due in large part to a combination of existing economic and educational disadvantages due to past and present racism. Immigrants who fled from U.S.-backed wars in Southeast Asia had not just their educations, but their lives completely altered and disrupted. It is imperative that this be taken into consideration. It is important to recognize that the realities of our society do not resemble the dreamy conditions affirmative action’s detractors see.

The playing field is not level. And, considering recent cuts in education, it is unlikely to be even remotely equal in the near future. Thus, it is unreasonable to assume that ignoring race is a fair course of action at this time. Until race ceases to influence people’s significant life experiences – or at the very least, access to elementary education – affirmative action must remain in place as a means to level the odds.

The question of affirmative action speaks to the larger issue of various forms of privileges and handicaps in our society, and the need to lessen the effects of those fissures.

Race, class, gender and sexual orientation are all constructs which carry various forms of privilege to this very day. Many of us enjoy at least one of these forms of unearned advantages, and the sooner we recognize this, the sooner we can attempt to ameliorate the damage caused. Affirmative action, while certainly not perfect, is an attempt to do this.

The issue of affirmative action has both galvanized and divided the UCLA campus, from bake sales to rallies against various racially divisive proposals. USAC has played a major role in these campaigns since 1995, as have student groups and individuals participating in the UCLA Affirmative Action Coalition.

So this week, as we learn more about the over-hyped admissions controversies at UCLA and Berkeley, and our student services and fees remain in a poor state due to budget cuts, please contemplate the issue of affirmative action. It concerns us all. Ultimately, it is a matter of justice, civil rights and privilege that affects every single one of us.

Where do you stand?

Bhaskar is a third-year political science student. E-mail him at sbhaskar@media.ucla.edu.