On College Forms, a Question of Race, or Races, Can Perplex

New York Times ^ | June 13, 2011 | SUSAN SAULNY and JACQUES STEINBERG

[reaganaut1]

...

Until this year, questions about race on most college applications were much simpler. A student who was white with a distant American Indian ancestor , for instance, would most likely have identified himself as white.

But students can now choose from a menu of new boxes of racial and ethnic categories — because the Department of Education started requiring universities this past school year to comply with a broad federal edict to collect more information about race and ethnicity. The change has made it easier for students to claim a multiracial identity — highlighting those parts of their backgrounds they might want to bring to the fore and disregarding others, as Ms. Scott considered doing with her Asian heritage.

So the number of applicants who identify themselves as multiracial has mushroomed, adding another layer of anxiety, soul- (and family-tree-) searching and even gamesmanship to the process.

The new options have forced colleges to confront thorny questions, including how to account for various racial mixes in seeking diversity on campus. Is a student applying as black and Latino more desirable in terms of diversity than someone who is white and black? Or white and Vietnamese? Should the ethnicities of one’s distant relatives be considered fair game, or just parents? And what should be done about students who skip the race question altogether — a sizable number of whom, some studies have shown, are white, and do so either in protest or out of fear that identifying as merely white could hurt rather than help their chances in this new environment?

Some scholars worry that the growth in multiracial applicants could further erode the original intent of affirmative action, which is to help disadvantaged minorities. For example, families with one black parent and one white parent are on average more affluent

[reaganaut1]

Why doesn't the Congressional GOP show some guts and put the following provision in the budget -- no federal student aid shall go to any college that discriminates on the basis of race?

[G Larry]

“Mixed” and “Unknown” are good options......

[ilovesarah2012]

Why mention race at all? How much simpler to just drop all the race categories.

[reaganaut1]

Steve Sailer has a good blog post on this article.

[Young Werther]

I always check "OTHER" and fill in the blank with HUMAN

[ltc8k6]

Earthling...

[Psycho_Bunny]

How would liberals manipulate their agenda?

[ilovesarah2012]

On the last census form I wrote in American.

[WayneS]

Just check ALL the boxes...

[WayneS]

What about mixed Mayan-Ethnic Carthaginian? Why isn’t THAT on the list?

[Redleg Duke]

My ex-wife is half Mexican and our son hates the fact that he is 1/4 Hispanic. I tell him that he is 3/8 German and take the most advantage possible for the 1/4 Hispanic, if the administrations are that damned dumb to give it credence.

[WayneS]

Some scholars worry that the growth in multiracial applicants could further erode the original intent of affirmative action, which is to help disadvantaged minorities.

OR, more correctly described:

Some scholars worry that the growth in multiracial applicants could further erode the original intent of affirmative action, which was to switch FROM discriminating against ONE race or races, TO discriminating against a different race or races.

[Travis McGee]

Isn’t it amusing to watch liberals adopt NAZI-like racial classifications?

“But comrades, this time it’s for a good cause!! Zieg Heil!”

[pnh102]

As long as these questions are asked, I will have my children state that they are African American since my parents were both born in Africa... just to see if any freebies get tossed our way.

For the record, we all look quite whitey. :)

I think if you really want to end this sort of thing, more people need to "participate" in this manner.

[bboop]

I love it. The Affirmative Action folks are hoist by their own petard.

[oh8eleven]

could further erode the original intent of affirmative action, which is to help disadvantaged minorities.
Yeah, take a look at "black america" and tell me how much AA has helped those - oh so poor and disadvantaged - minorities. Fools.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

When choosing between two such applicants, some universities might lean toward the multiracial student because he will need less financial aid while still counting toward affirmative-action goals.

If they'd just close their eyes and accept applicants on the basis of merit, they wouldn't have this problem. This whole charade is like trying to find a way to sit on a flame without burning your ass.

[TheThirdRuffian]

The correct solution is to check “african-american,” regardless of racial past.

Just break and abuse the system until it ceases to work.

[Pollster1]

The new options have forced colleges to confront thorny questions, including how to account for various racial mixes in seeking diversity on campus. Is a student applying as black and Latino more desirable in terms of diversity than someone who is white and black? Or white and Vietnamese? Should the ethnicities of one’s distant relatives be considered fair game, or just parents? And what should be done about students who skip the race question altogether — a sizable number of whom, some studies have shown, are white, and do so either in protest or out of fear that identifying as merely white could hurt rather than help their chances in this new environment?

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

King was right. Today's professional racists who demand discrimination in favor of one group are no different ethically from the racists two generations ago who demanded discrimination in favor of other groups.

[antiRepublicrat]

My ex-wife is half Mexican and our son hates the fact that he is 1/4 Hispanic.

Don't forget that for most Hispanic, some percentage of it is European (Spain).