Quote:
AOPi, you have presented a good argument. However, do you deny the existence of a glass ceiling? I am not saying that your hard work will not earn you what is rightfully yours. But discrimination does still exist and until it is eradicated, we will always need programs such as Affirmative Action to balance it out. Do not fall for the myth that these positions go to people who are UNDERqualified. In most instances, the posistions are filled by people of EQUAL qualification or higher.
And no, I didn't forget that wonderful "Talented Tenth" rule. I graduated with a 3.825 GPA in high school, with honors, and still was not in the top tenth of my class. So am I less deserving of that scholarship money? In essence, this rule is saying that there is 90% who do not deserve to go to college. Is that what you believe?
|
I won't deny the existence of a glass ceiling, but I also believe that we have for the most part grown out of the need for affirmative action, or at least the way it is defined today. I also believe that AA breeds resentment (even among some minorities), and that this resentment can and will come back to bite us. I also know that we will not be truely equal until all applications are race and sex blind. I just don't like to depend on anyone for anything. If I do not get a job or admitted to my first choice college then I probably should have worked harder for what I wanted, or maybe it was just not meant to be. I cannot go around depending on or blaming the government.
When I graduated from HS I was not in the top 10th of my class, but I was still admitted to every state school I applied to. BTW, they were both research 1 institutions. I did qualify for the state scholarship award of $2500.00 /year (whatever it was called before bright futures), but I chose to go to school out of state. I did not have any other scholarships or grants so now I owe the government $30,000, but I have a college degree. What I learned from this is that my husband and I will work as hard as we can to make sure that WE provide for our future children's education.
Libra - You must have graduated from a small HS to have not been in the top 10th in your class. I would still think a 3.825 would earn you a scholarship from some source.
The beauty of this country is that it is founded on freedom. Remember life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness - property if you will. I have the right to go out and work as hard or as little as I like, and to be whatever I want to be. I can change my class despite what I was born into. All it takes is determination on MY part.