Reply to S/O- Affirmative Action- where does it end?

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "S/O- Affirmative Action- where does it end?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Somewhat inspired by the « white Latina » post but this is something I’ve been struggling for a while. For those who support affirmative action (or for that matter those who don’t necessarily  support it) what should the parameters be on when someone is entitled to invoke it?

I am mixed race- half black half white- and grew up working poor raised in a single (white) parent household. For context, my African American  parent , who was not in the picture, is light skinned so while I don’t look caucasian, most people assume I am Hispanic/Asian/Mediterranean rather than half black and growing up I was never really exposed to African American culture.When applying to college I had some hang ups as to what to claim, since I never really had a connection with my African American heritage, but ultimately (and truthfully) stated my race(s) as black/white and definitely benefited as a result in the admissions process. Fast forward 25 + years and my son is now preparing to apply for college. We are an upper middle class family, my husband is Caucasian and my son essentially looks white (blue eyes, light hair with maybe a hint of a Mediterranean complexion) . He also does not have any real identification with the African American culture since neither his father nor I were raised with it, however he is aware of his genetic background and has been asking whether he should check the African American box on applications,  which would definitely give him an advantage. My husband is all for it but I have some moral concerns with him claiming this racial identity purely for the sake of the admissions boost  since he basically is perceived as white and has no real connection with black culture, nor is he likely  to face any resulting prejudice. However, on the surface with a 25% genetic background it is completely accurate and reasonable for him to claim dual white-African American heritage and I don’t want to deprive him of an advantage he is legitimately entitled to because of my hang ups or have him resent me in the future by pushing him not to claim it, particularly when it is something I myself benefited from.

What would you do in these circumstances?[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics