"Affirmative Action"... Really?

              I have no idea where to begin in response to this “Affirmative Action” article.  When reading it I found myself responding to him in such a way that was angry, irritated and astonished that a person that is technically one of my peers could be so ignorant to the real issue at hand.   He contradicts himself in so many different areas, that I almost have to consider this as an early Aprils fool’s joke.

                My first thought on this issue of Affirmative Action at the University of Texas is…What Affirmative action? Seriously… With only 12% blacks making up the Texas population, I find it very interesting to believe that affirmative action is really benefiting any black individual getting into U.T., especially when we (blacks) aren’t even making up 5% of the university.  I guess since Mr. McGarvey was so busy voicing his frustrations that he forgot to account for the other 95% that is being “plagued” by affirmative action.   

                I truly believe that he does not fully understand the purpose of Affirmative Action.  As an African American student accepted into the University of Texas, I do find this entire article to be offensive and degrading.  One thing he not aware of is that a very large majority, if not all of it due to the transfer or the athlete students, are in this institution for the mere fact that we graduated at the top 10% of our class and in recent cases top 8%.  So in reality, that 4% of students that he is putting into that circle of “reverse racism” is less than half of the U.T black population because as we all are aware, athletes must only have a 2.5 gpa and make a 1200 on the SAT to be accepted on a full scholarship.  This is the rule for black and white athletes before somebody tries to imply that affirmative action is dictating the athletes that make up our schools as well. 

                He tries to make the point about using socioeconomic equality as a method to determine who is accepted and receives scholarships.  This point would be great if he wasn’t trying to use it in a way to put down blacks.  If he really knew what he was talking about, he would only understand that using socioeconomic equality would only increase the amount of minority students at U.T.  Race definitely is a criterion in this factor because as we know African Americans make up the most percent of families with low income.  When he states, “ For example, who needs a scholarship more: a black child from a family of doctors and lawyers or a white child living in a slum with a single parent working as a janitor? Financial data does a much better job of predicting financial need than does the color of one’s skin.”  Chances are that a student that comes from a successful family will be in the top 10% of their class or attending a more prominent institution like Yale, Harvard or Emory.  I think universally we can agree that there are far much less black students with a background like that compared to white counterparts. 

                Clearly Affirmative action is only a problem to those who aren’t black because they aren’t included.   The norm of this country reflects the ideals of primarily one group (whites).  That one group has remained in power for centuries and anything that does not involve and benefit them as well is viewed as unacceptable in terms of societies needs.  Until the norm reflects more than just one cultural standard, affirmative action is needed and is not harming any other race while in use.