R: Affirm Affirmative Action

All of us have made it through the college admissions process. And rather successfully, I might add. Though with affirmative action, it can be an unpleasant experience for better or for worse, especially when consideration is given to factors beyond our control. Affirmative action policies intend to improve the employment and educational opportunities available to members of minority groups, women, and other historically disadvantaged people. In its upcoming term, the Supreme Court seems poised to rule that race-conscious admissions programs are unlawful. This is a move that is already being celebrated by conservatives around the country, but is their celebration warranted? Can we, as conservatives, uncover the virtues of affirmative action?

Whether it be in the workplace or the academy, in public or private institutions, or based on race or class, those in the affirmative will find themselves there because they support some form of affirmative action. These policies are drivers of upward mobility. At our own university, there are countless stories of first- or second-generation immigrants and students whose parents did not attend college having their lives transformed by the opportunities afforded to them by their Yale education. It is affirmative action that keeps the American Dream alive. In addition to this, affirmative action serves as a corrective to historic injustices. For the majority of Yale’s history, black, female, and poor students were either not permitted to apply or were never realistic candidates for admission. Even still, some argue that, relative to their peers, members of minority groups and those who are otherwise socioeconomically disadvantaged face a series of barriers in the college admissions process commensurate with the support given to them by affirmative action. Justice and fairness are excellent reasons to support such policies, but beyond those justifications, it is also worth noting that exposing students to diversity makes them better capable of dealing with different people and worldviews that differ from their own.

Those in the negative will support a more meritocratic system of hiring and selection in admissions processes. While the history of affirmative action in the United States is surprisingly long, many see its current instantiation as an extension of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion regime that has come to tyrannize American life. In fact, the ballooning of university administrations and consequent increase in tuition is at least partially attributable to the implementation of affirmative action. It is simply discrimination given a new name. Listen to the oral arguments from Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina and it is clear to any observer that the lawyers tasked with defending affirmative action practices must resort to mental gymnastics of the highest order to defend their position. It may be true that individuals inherit a unique set of advantages and disadvantages by virtue of their birth, but meritocracy is no myth. Americans enjoy political equality, and though there may be social inequality, this is a natural result of human society. Affirmative action policies are forms of social engineering and the consequences of such tinkering can potentially be deleterious to the common good of our nation.

So, should we affirm affirmative action? Are we responsible for the sins of our fathers? Which hiring and admissions practices are just? Is meritocracy good for America? Does anyone “deserve” a job or seat at a university? How much consideration should we give to the difference between public and private institutions?