Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one drop rule does not apply. Your son is white.

OP here and in that case genuine question- what would you say defines when someone can/cannot claim a racial affiliation? Racial percentage (and if so what percent is acceptable ), skin tone? Cultural affinity?

I agree that it seems somehow wrong, given the goals of affirmative action, but I’m struggling with if/how I should tell my son not to claim a legitimate part of his heritage because the benefit is not meant for him, especially knowing that the college game is rigged in so many other ways.

What has he been selecting all along to register for school, medical forms, and census etc.? My kids are bi-racial and every form has checked both black and white. They aren’t white their whole lives on every form and suddenly two races for college applications.

OP here- up to this point we have been the ones filling out these forms for him and we have usually left it blank or checked the « decline to state » box.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also believe colleges should NOT be non-profits and pay full taxes so I'm not subsidizing institutions that I do not benefit from.

You support that position for churches also?

And country clubs?

And political organizations? Etc etc?

If you do, then great, you are one of the few that are ideologically consistent. If not, you are just another hypocrite with an axe to grind.

I am not saying which one you are, I am asking you to say so yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one drop rule does not apply. Your son is white.

OP here and in that case genuine question- what would you say defines when someone can/cannot claim a racial affiliation? Racial percentage (and if so what percent is acceptable ), skin tone? Cultural affinity?

I agree that it seems somehow wrong, given the goals of affirmative action, but I’m struggling with if/how I should tell my son not to claim a legitimate part of his heritage because the benefit is not meant for him, especially knowing that the college game is rigged in so many other ways.

What has he been selecting all along to register for school, medical forms, and census etc.? My kids are bi-racial and every form has checked both black and white. They aren’t white their whole lives on every form and suddenly two races for college applications.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one drop rule does not apply. Your son is white.

OP here and in that case genuine question- what would you say defines when someone can/cannot claim a racial affiliation? Racial percentage (and if so what percent is acceptable ), skin tone? Cultural affinity?

I agree that it seems somehow wrong, given the goals of affirmative action, but I’m struggling with if/how I should tell my son not to claim a legitimate part of his heritage because the benefit is not meant for him, especially knowing that the college game is rigged in so many other ways.

Anonymous wrote:I also believe colleges should NOT be non-profits and pay full taxes so I'm not subsidizing institutions that I do not benefit from.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Check the AA box. The "system" is stacked against you and you have an opportunity to grab an opportunity. Take it. Remember that all well-off Nigerians from highly educated, 2-income families, with no slave ancestry claim to be Black and take advantage of affirmative action. Why shouldn't you?

My personal opinion is that race-based affirmative action should be limited to kids who can trace their lineage to slaves or Native American tribes through BOTH parents. All other affirmative action should be based on a combination of wealth and income.

I also believe colleges should NOT be non-profits and pay full taxes so I'm not subsidizing institutions that I do not benefit from.

Anonymous wrote: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?

Anonymous wrote:If I were OP, I would check the box for two or more races. I saw somewhere in the news, Kamala Harris is labeled as two or more race in Biden's administration.


Please give the chance to those people who really suffered from discrimination due to their skin color or social economic status. Your Child will be shining in the college that is best for his capability.

Anonymous wrote:NP. Let's keep in mind that race (black, white, native american) and ethnicity (hispanic) are two different things, something missing from that other thread.

OP, I would check the box. The question in the Common App asks: "please indicate how you identify yourself. (You may select one or more)", so OP in your case, your child would check both white and "black or african american." Caveat, I would also anticipate the possibility that a question might be raised, so look up what you checked on school forms - see what the high school has from registration. While probably uncommon, it is not unheard of for an AO to call a GC to ask that. Also make sure the student is consistent with checking the box when registering with College Board and ACT.

Anonymous wrote:OP I have a somewhat similar situation but I have 2 kids. One is darker than the minority spouse! The other is like your son, maybe looks a little tan but that’s about it. I find it really strange to have one kid claim their mixed race and one not, so safe to say they both will.

We have a similar situation, but with Hispanic ethnicity. Racially, they are white with some native american, but the native american box cannot be checked. Some of our kids are substantially darker, clearly not all white (and yeah, socially for them it is absolutely has been noticed), and others lighter. I can't imagine checking different boxes for different kids in the same family.

Anonymous wrote:check it, be prepared to prove (some proof that your dad is/was AA), and thank your father. He may have left you and your mom, but he left you a legacy Good luck!