GAINING AN ADVANTAGE BASED ON RACE IS THE DEFINITION OF DISCRIMINATION
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy/competency blog and does not provide specific investment recommendations.
The Thin Line Between Advantage and Discrimination
Eliminating the SAT and ACT Tests and giving preference to candidates based on sex and race is saying African Americans and others cannot make it on our own but must be dependent on white Americans and organizations, pity.
LESSONS FROM CLAUDINE GAY’S HISTORIC FLAMEOUT
Harvard’s historic announcement on July 2, 2023, hailed Claudine Gay as its “First Black (Minority) President.” Harvard’s announcement of Gay as the first Black President left some to wonder if she was merely an affirmative action appointment.
Just six months later, on January 2, 2024, Dr. Gay resigned amid allegations of plagiarism and a controversial Congressional Hearing Testimony, for which she promptly apologized the next day.
Critics argue that Joe Biden’s focus on considering only Black females (constituting around seven percent of the U.S. population) for Vice President created an environment where his selection for V.P. became an affirmative action pick. After three years as VP, Kamala Harris faces poor public opinion, with many seeing her as weak and unprepared for the role of President. This perception is unfortunately extending to other minority hires, such as Claudine Gay, raising concerns about affirmative action placing underqualified minority candidates in prestigious institutions and roles.
ELITE UNIVERSITIES ELIMINATE ACT AND SAT TO INCREASE MINORITY ENROLLMENT
2021 -Out of a possible SAT score of 1600
- Asian Americans averaged -1,239.
- Whites – 1,112
- Hispanics – 967
- Blacks – 934.
2021- Out of a possible ACT score of 36
- Asian Americans averaged – 24.
- Whites – 21.
- Hispanics – 18.3.
- Blacks – 16.3.
One root cause of minorities scoring lower in college admittance exams is the time different racial groups spend studying. A recent study showed that students of:
- Asian descent spent ~134 minutes/day studying.
- White descent spent ~56 minutes/day.
- Hispanic descent spent ~50 minutes/per day
- Black descent spent ~37 minutes/day.
These study times correlate with poor and minority students’ performance on college entrance exams. While African American students fail to enroll in high school honors or STEM classes, Asian and Jewish Americans excel in both classes. Gaining acceptance in a top-tier academic university based on merit is not a one-off event but a culmination of 12+ years of hard work.
By making the SAT/ACT optional, colleges can continue admitting blacks and Hispanics with low standardized test scores while IGNORING the higher scores of many Asian Americans and others. In effect, they discriminate against those students who worked harder!
A 2020 study from the University of California showed that “SAT and ACT scores are positively associated with college success in terms of freshman GPA, graduation GPA, first-year retention, and graduation.”Despite this finding, the University of California permanently dropped its consideration of standardized tests from the application process in November 2021.
In the long run, eliminating the SAT and ACT won’t just hurt students who might have performed well on these tests; it will hurt those who were accepted and unprepared.
MINORITY DEFINED
The term “minority” goes beyond population statistics and encompasses culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct groups that coexist with, yet are subordinate {lesser, inferior, second fiddle} to, more dominant groups. In the realm of social sciences, the defining characteristic of a minority group lies in its subordinacy, leading to unequal treatment and a lack of power over their lives.
Asians and Jews are fortunate to escape today’s minority label.
It is impossible to occupy two spaces simultaneously – We cannot be “Equal” AND “Less Than.” African Americans can take power and control over their lives or continue being a subordinate.
DR KING’s DREAM
The controversy around Dr Gay’s hiring and subsequent failure reminds me of Dr King’s words delivered 60 years ago. “I 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.”
Sixty years later, African Americans are still being judged by the color of their skin, and standards are being lowered to accommodate them. Implying the content of our character is lacking.
Dr. King envisioned a society where individuals would be evaluated for their character and capabilities, not their race. However, the reality today is that universities, government entities, and employers sometimes prioritize diversity over qualifications, perpetuating discrimination against others. Discrimination ALWAYS harms another individual.
We face a crucial choice: either leverage our minority status for job opportunities or political influence or embrace Dr. King’s dream by earning our place through character, education, and competence. As Dr. King passionately declared, ‘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. I have a dream today.'”
https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety
I REJECT THE CATEGORIZATION OF MINORITY
My parents taught me to earn whatever I set my sights on with hard work and be evaluated based on individual merit.
I interviewed for the senior V.P. role at a major energy company. The position went to another candidate, and I accepted a director role. Upon meeting the newly appointed V.P., I realized that the right decision had been made – she was more qualified for the position. I did not want the role simply because of my color. By developing a friendship with the new V.P., I sought to learn and grow, aspiring to be chosen for future roles based on my competence and character.
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St Jude Hospital: The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.https://www.stjude.org/
Wounded Warrior Project: An American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services, and events for wounded veterans of the military https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Folds of Honor: Providing life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten. https://foldsofhonor.org
Wilson’s No-Kill Animal Shelter: A N0-Kill shelter that is a top-rated non-profit. They compassionately care for all their animals. https://wcnkas.org
Tunnel To Towers: Since 9/11, we have been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001. https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/#!/donation/checkout
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I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
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I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
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