There are however two unusual twists to the assault on affirmative action in the University of California system, that defy the stereotypes. First the race based preferences are being attacked by a black member of the board of regents and defended by Berkeley's Asian-American Chancellor. On the side of those who favor Affirmative Action and would like for it to remain a part of California's school system are many optimistic voices. Affirmative action at Berkeley represents an essential and healthy adaptation to a changing California and a changing nation. Affirmative action is not for underrepresented minorities.
Affirmative action is for the benefit of the larger society.
Beginning with the admission of women in the 1880's and with an early form of affirmative action called the Educational Opportunity Program in 1964, Berkeley has aggressively promoted inclusion. Troy Duster, a Berkeley sociologist who has studied affirmative action for years said it is being made a scapegoat for rejection. Faculty,administration,and students alike have all tried to tell the board of regents that affirmative action had been working fine to create a genuinely diverse student body. This can result in a student body that will be substantially the same as it is today. On the other side of the coin are those who would prefer to do away with affirmative action.