Poverty, race in college apps

Ever since, Sept. 24, 1965, the day Lyndon Johnson put Executive Order 11246 into place,… Ever since, Sept. 24, 1965, the day Lyndon Johnson put Executive Order 11246 into place, affirmative action has caused unwavering controversy throughout the nation.

Today, the 2004 U.S. Census still indicates a drastic economic gap. White Americans earn a median income of $27,414. African-Americans earn a median of $16,035, and Hispanic-Americans $14,106. These numbers show the large economic disparity that exists along racial and economic lines. My solution: transferring affirmative action’s basis from race to economics. In doing this, race will no longer be the factor in benefiting the disadvantaged.

Help and opportunity for those wishing to achieve will be granted to those in lower economic standing. Of course, disadvantaged minorities will still receive more assistance because of the current economic differences.

In the 1965-world, using affirmative action judged upon race was completely necessary. African-Americans needed assistance because of the dismal treatment given to them. It was a signal of strength to admit that our nation had made grave mistakes in the treatment of African-Americans post-civil war times.

For the last 40 years, affirmative action has tried to make up for it with mixed results. In 1965, it was the right move. In 2005, it needs some adjustment.

We find ourselves in a more accepting world. People of all races, ethnicities and religions become best friends, date and intermarry. Racism’s still there, but it will continue eroding as time goes on.

The next generation may vastly change our economic landscape. A Hispanic, African or Native American millionaire’s son that attended private school should not receive the same benefits as one coming from a beat-down, inner-city community.

The millionaire’s son will get into a college, guaranteed, while the same can’t be said for the poverty-stricken teen.

At the same time, the disparity between races exists because they started out on the bottom economically and remain in this cycle. Those that break out do not need the assistance anymore. We should focus on disadvantaged minorities that currently struggle to lift themselves up. If the government changes the qualifications for affirmative action we will step in the right direction.

The loopholes also concern me. How do we or do we not, let kids that are 50 percent or 25 percent of a disadvantaged minority collect benefits? We obviously can’t judge their race for them.

Many people cite Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech as both support for and opposition for affirmative action. Truth, he agreed with my current idea.

When speaking about affirmative action he said, “I do not intend that this program of aid should apply only to African-Americans; it should benefit the disadvantaged of all races.”

Adding to the process of just getting accepted into college, the program must extend itself to help out these students financially as well. Education is vital to being successful in the world. It is in the government’s interest to have the lowest class of society participate in our education system. By one bright kid showing his community the possibility of attending college it can uplift a community and encourage others to follow.

We can change, strengthen and continue the program. In essence, by using economics it will help those who need it. Our country will thrive with the focus of the policy on fighting poverty and racism equally.

The larger problem remains that the conditions of communities and schools that many disadvantaged minorities grow up in are abysmal. Politicians would do the right thing by making affirmative action an economic policy.

I am not sure how much this program would cost, but we need to grant a system of financial assistance to the students that get accepted through this affirmative economics system. Schools should carry at least some of the burden to enrich their campus with diversity.

We can’t afford redistribution and rebuilding communities, but we can build and strengthen the public schools by providing incentives for qualified people to teach, administrate and mentor poor minority students.

They need inspiration and drive which will help each generation build on itself and eliminate the cyclical poverty that has demoralized disadvantaged minorities. This will all allow even those that grow up in the direst states to discover our great land of opportunity.

Tell Scott what you think at sdn2@pitt.edu.