Race Based Affirmative Action in Universities

Thank you for your response and your suggestion. I will follow the proposed cross-examination structure outlined by my opponent. 1. I agree that some methods do make it difficult for minorities to be equally represented politically. However, I fail to understand what this has to do with race-based Affirmative Action (RBAA). If this is a problem, then there should be steps taken to prevent these measures (gerrymandering, etc.) from occurring. Making race a criteria in the admissions process does nothing to fix this, especially because this isn't a case of minorities being uneducated. This is a case of unfair rules; education has little to do with this disadvantage. 2. I would argue that many minority groups have faced hardships/oppression in the past. This is a reason why RBAA isn't fair. African-americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans have all faced hardships. But so have Asian-americans, Jews, Eastern Europeans and other minorities who do NOT benefit from RBAA. I find it difficult to believe that an African-american born to a working class family in Detroit in the 1990's has a disadvantage compared to a Vietnamese orphan who arrives in LA at the age of 7, not knowing the language. Why should the african-american be favored in the college admissions process? 3. I don't fully understand this question. I believe past oppression has placed nearly all ethnic groups besides White Christian Western Europeans at a disadvantage. Some groups certainly have been oppressed more. If RBAA was not in place, I don't believe this oppression would be drastically different. 4. I believe that in a perfect world, it would not matter whether or not minorities' representation in politics directly correlates to their demographic percentage. Blacks do not necessarily vote for blacks, and so on. However, I agree that the fact that minorities are underrepresented is a reflection of the fact that minorities do not have the opportunity to advance in politics. I will now rebut my opponents argument, before asking my own questions. My opponent argued that due to the underrepresentation of minorities in congress, RBAA should be implemented. I do not believe that this is correct. RBAA does not have a bearing on how many minorities get elected. As my opponent stated, much of this underrepresentation is due to unfair rules in the election process, as well as intrinsic levels of racism in our society. RBAA does not solve either of these problems. Unfair rules in the election process should be targeted, and reformed; RBAA does not enter the equation. RBAA does not decrease racism in our society. If anything, it builds resentment between minorities who are benefitted, and the majority, as well as other minorities who are not helped, and are often hurt. My opponent gave two reasons why affirmative action is important: "Firstly, it allows for these racial groups, whom have been previously oppressed and who have lower socioeconomic status than the majority group, to be better represented." This is flawed. Colleges do not have an obligation to admit based on population proportions. Their job is to accept the most qualified candidates, given their circumstances. If someone grew up in a poor neighborhood with poor schools, this should be considered. Whether this person is White, Black, or purple does not matter. Being of a certain race should not make you a more qualified candidate. The purpose of college education in today's world is not to encourage political participation. It should not be treated as such. If there is a problem with voter non-participation, then fix the problem. Don't use a roundabout way to hide that problem. A college's job is to give qualified applicants opportunities; voter participation doesn't enter the equation. "Secondly, it negates much of the racism that is possibly encountered during the college application process." This has some merit, but ultimately does not justify RBAA. Perhaps to counteract this, we should make the box where you disclose your race optional. No matter what we do, we should not give certain ethnic groups an advantage over an unproven bias that may or may not exist. Conduct investigations into colleges to see if there is intrinsic racism. Implement fines. But do not make race a criteria, punishing certain ethnic groups because of an unrecognized fear. Many of my opponent's arguments seem to be advocating for RBAA as a way to solve minority underrepresentation in politics. This is unfair. If there are problems with how minorities are being represented, solve the problem directly. Don't use RBAA, as this is unfair to other minorities and the majority. Questions 1. Would you agree that the job of a college is to pick out the most qualified candidates, given their socioeconomic context, regardless of their race? 2. Would you agree that RBAA pushes certain applicants over the edge, when they wouldn't have gotten in without RBAA? 3. Would you agree that RBAA cannot solve unfair political representation? 4. Would you agree that if RBAA was not implemented (while socioeconomic affirmative action still was implemented), more majority, asian-american, etc. candidates would be accepted? Good luck in the next round!