Affirmative Action, go away! Options

[*Steven*]

Affirmative was created way back when to help blacks get back on their feet etc etc. Now it seems a lot of races use it as a crutch, assuming that because they're a minority that they'll get preferential treatment and that if they don't then it's racism. It was supposed to have just faded away as things became more and more equal, but lo and behold, it's still here.

Anyone think it should stay? What are your reasons?

[*Steven*]

I say rise to the occasion so you can actually get your voice heard, if you know things are biased just try harder, whining does nothing for you in the long run.
I had no problem getting into UT Austin...hell, i got into Rice but im doing engineering and i love UT's campus. With the top 10 percent thing they used to have it was pretty easy to get into a decent college in Texas, was it not?

Back to my original point, our minds do funny things when we see people, we automatically put people into catergories....some people hold on the the more loosely than others, but the media has taught us to prejudge people based on appearance and thats where the person's origin can really hinder his opportunities at success

They got rid of that rule. Also, going to an extremely competitive high school makes it a lot harder to get into the top 10%. I mean when your school is poppin out tons of 1600/2400 SAT's and has some of the top academic/debate teams, it makes it harder for you to stand out.

I still don't get why it's still there. It's 2007, most things have changed for the better.
I honestly think that affirmative action is leading / will lead to discrimination against Whites in the U.S.

Haha yeah, reverse discrimination has become an issue. Ironic.

[animalinside]

They got rid of that rule. Also, going to an extremely competitive high school makes it a lot harder to get into the top 10%. I mean when your school is poppin out tons of 1600/2400 SAT's and has some of the top academic/debate teams, it makes it harder for you to stand out.

I mentioned that in my post already...note the past-tense verb usage

If its UT you're trying to get into a semi-decent SAT score along with maybe a 15% or so placing will probably get you in.

Plus if you think about it, going to a school like that is definitely a blessing, you are around many people that want to be greater academically. It isnt like you are wasting your time learning things just so you can get into the school of your choice....you could go to a really stupid school (i.e. most HISD schools) and prolly get into the top 3 not having done much to deserve it, or you could go to the school your in right now...maybe join those top academic teams and use your participation to pad your resume.

Motivation is really what it all comes down to. Many valedictorians that i know of had to settle for UT because they were turned down by their first school, and it usually came down to the lack of programs the school offered