U of M's Idea of Diversity is Flawed

I sincerely apologize for writing this, because it is counter-productive to the point I would like to make, but bare with me for a second. Furthermore, please realize this is only an attempt to speak about university admissions and tuition assistance.

I would like to pose a question to administrators and student groups. In what ways are you addressing the problems of racism and race relations and how well is that currently working? I can smash my skull against a wall for the cause of diversity and capture the same results as opposing Proposal 2 and continuing a blind faith in affirmative action based on color.

A better approach involves the realization that race is not the key factor in how many opportunities a given person has. What matters is socioeconomic status.

Yes, I agree racism is a problem, and I agree most people in poor areas are minorities. And I also agree that many reasons for that are past atrocities committed by white people in America. I feel guilt that my race has done such things, as I am sure others do as well. So what should we do? Continue to attack the problem by focusing on nothing but skin color?

Of course not; we need to start addressing the bigger problem which is the repercussions of the awful choices made in the past. We need to focus on helping the poor. By that act minorities who have no need for help will receive none (again, only in admissions and tuition assistance), thus reserving the University’s resources for students in poor areas who cannot or can barely escape the lack of opportunity they were born into. The reason the current enactment of affirmative action is bad is that the more help you give to those who can do without means more who need help and won’t get it.

In short, “by any means necessary” is never the right approach to take. Even in cases where no answer is correct, one will be more correct than another. Addressing diversity of economics, while not perfect, is better than addressing race alone. Give up the fight against Proposal 2 and the status quo and accept that there are better answers to the problem of inequality and racism than promoting assorted pigmentation. Or continue smashing your heads against the wall, just don't use the money I give you to pay for your aspirin.