University of Californasia
The New York Times published striking discussion of race in American universities, focusing on the role and culture of Asian-Americans at Cal. It cites the record number of Asian freshman at our school — 46% — and tries to explain this “misrepresentation” of the California populace.
Though it’s five pages long, it’s an engaging read and definitely opens up a difficult discussion of racial diversity and meritocracy in the Berkeley school. Page four is especially provocative. Really, take a look for yourself.
David A. Hollinger, chairman of the history department, makes a good point in addressing diversity:
“You could argue that the campus is more diverse now,” because Asians comprise so many different cultures, says Dr. Hollinger. A little more than half of Asian freshmen at Berkeley are Chinese, the largest group, followed by Koreans, East-Indian/Pakistani, Filipino and Japanese.
Regarding a balanced, racially-diverse campus, Hollinger says it is not the university’s job to fix the problems that California’s public schools produce. The public university reflects the results of the public schools; admissions cannot completely override what has already been shaped (for better or for worse).
A racially diverse campus is important to some degree. It looks good on paper, it provides inviting racial communities for “minorities,” but it’s not the be all and end all of a post-secondary education. Should race be the defining characteristic of diversity? What of class, socio-economic background, geography, gender, religion, and culture? With such a large student population, Berkeley is as close as you can get to a “naturally” diverse campus, if you look beyond just race.
Affirmative action is a hate crime perpetrated against white and Asian students.
Comment by Defend 209 — January 8, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
Not again….
Comment by Chris Smyr — January 8, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
Affirmative action teaches minorities that they don’t have to work as hard as white/Asians to succeed, the government will give them a free ride because they can’t do it on their own. It creates a culture where nothing is expected of black/Hispanics, studying is for whites/Asians, but you’ll get a diploma without working hard. In short, affirmative action perpetuates ugly stereotypes that prevent minorities from reaching their goals. It must be annihilated.
Comment by Defend 209 — January 8, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
save 187.
Comment by Save 187 — January 9, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Dammit, would someone let this horse just die? The problem isn’t at schools like Berkeley, it’s at piss-poor public schools that screw the poor.
Comment by Steve — January 10, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
Berkeley needs to continue to take the best from California (and should do more to draw talent from other parts of the country too, to boost the state economy).
It’s not responsible for fulfilling quotas. Sadly, the K-12 system in the state is shot. That’s where the problem lies, as Hollinger rightly points out.
Comment by Bhanu Singh — January 10, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
I heard somebody say that the reason schools in more affluent areas tend to be better is largely because school funding comes from regional property taxes. I’m not sure if it this is true. If it is, it probably explains to some extent why the numbers are what they are.
Comment by anon — January 13, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
“Affirmative action is a hate crime perpetrated against white and Asian students.”
What a jackass!! Affirmative Action is defined as policies needed and used to redress past discrimination. I believe this country has its share of past discrimination: 1) Slavery!!!! 2) Seperate but unequal 3) Jim Crow 4) so on and so forth. Jim Crow did not end until 1965. thus there is a combined 450 years of slavery and Jim Crow and only 40 years of “equality” You cannont erase 450+ years of discrimination in 40 years. You need policies to help level out the playing field. Hate Crime against asians??? Asians benefited greatly from AA especially in graduate school. LEARN THE FACTS, JACKASS!!! B_
Comment by Anonymous — January 14, 2007 @ 10:25 am
The playing field isn’t level when less qualified black/hispanic students are given preference over more qualified white/asians based solely on the color of their skin. That’s what we technically call “racist discrimination”. Affirmative Action is a hate Crime!!! Defend Prop 209!! Birgeneau is an idiot!!! Affirmative Action is a hate Crime !!!1!!
Comment by anon54 — January 14, 2007 @ 11:54 am
supporters of affirmative action should be sent to guantanamo!
Comment by anon54 — January 14, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Asians benefit from affirmative action in graduate school?
Comment by Beetle — January 14, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
sure, it “benefits” them by letting them “interact” with “peers” from “different” “socieoconomic” “backgrounds”. except for the Asians who don’t get admitted, they get the “benefit” of “attending fresno state”. haven’t you read your political correctness manual?
Comment by anon54 — January 14, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20070109/cm_thenation/15155512
Way more interesting response.
Comment by Anonymous — January 24, 2007 @ 11:37 pm