Whether race should be used by colleges and universities when making admissions decisions
It is a widely debated phenomenon whether race should be used by universities and colleges while taking admission decisions. Initially, the advocates have emphasized on the necessity of compensating American African students as it has a wider impact on children, whereas the opponents argued that the Constitution should work blindly in this respect. However, finally the debate concluded with affirmation that eliminating race discrimination provides various educational benefits to the minorities or racially diverse people that is the underlying principle for its selection that is unwillingly accepted by the Supreme Court (Los Angeles Times).
The supporters of the argument that the race must be considered states that it helps the racially discriminated those people who are not given equal chance to live and get education. This helps to create diversity in the schools and colleges that is one of the increasing demands at both educational institution and workplace. For example, large multinational organizations such as Nestle, McDonalds, P&G, General Motors and many others have focused on increasing diversity. In addition, large organizations are providing equal employment opportunities to all which is one of the essential elements of socially responsible organizations (Hale 250). In addition, the diverse body of students in an educational institutional helps to prepare all students to communicate and coordinate with racially discriminated people outside their educational life. For example, when students enter practical life and are employed at an organization, he or she may have to interact with people from diverse social, racial and cultural backgrounds. Therefore, if students do not learn and understand dealing with people of other races, he, or she will be dissatisfied at workplace and will face problems in interacting with them. Similarly, another reason that has supported the argument is that the organizations that welcome diversity have proved to be more successful than the traditional organizations that discriminate between races.
Thus, a shift is resulted in the hiring processes that welcome people from different races. The evident success has encouraged educational institutions particularly colleges and universities to grant admissions irrespective of races as this strategy or decision will bring future success to them. However, the opponents have feared that in case of, when the colleges and universities make admission decisions irrespective of race, then they will be passing of more or equally talented students. For instance, the proponents will fear that the key positions in the organization might be taken over by the blacks because of their skills, talent and education. Thus, it is a difficult and heated argument that is supported with valid concerns i.e., both from opponents and proponents. However, one of the parties is required to lose the debate particularly the opponents.
The race should not be considered by the universities and colleges while making admission decisions. The main reason is that the educational institutions will not be able to perceive the potential benefits of non-discrimination of race that are acknowledged by the institutions who do not consider racial discrimination. Most higher education institutions are in support of elimination of racial discrimination. Previously, universities and colleges had allocated quota system where only a smaller percentage of black people were granted admission and majority of the seats were given to whites. However, this trend has changed to a greater extent that is mainly due to the affirmative action even though the Supreme Court is not in support of this case (Hale 147). However, today many colleges and universities have said that they will continue their support to eliminate racial discrimination and increase diversity at campuses. The State University and college leaders appreciate the diversity as it enables to enrich the experiences through exchange of students and interactions, staff and faculty that come from different economic, cultural and social backgrounds. The benefits gained from educational diversity are now being widely recognized; however, some educational institutions still lag behind of implementing the decision.
In a nutshell, it could be said that more effective measures are required to be taken to eliminate racial discriminate completely. Although, many educational, judicial and political leaders are in favor of the issue, and their actions taken also offers some insight regarding the benefits that are achieved by eliminating racial discrimination, but more is needed to be done to eliminate it completely. Thus, the universities and colleges must weigh the potential benefits of promoting diversity and its practical implementation. However, the racial discrimination as one of the factors in college and university admissions seems to come likely to an end in near times, but the influential benefits at greater scale are left to be evidenced. The supporters, educators and students, must continuously support their views regarding elimination of racial discrimination through legal challenges, research and essays to bring change throughout the nation. The new generation and educators that have understood importance of promoting elimination of racial discrimination must also try to spread the message until and unless the colorblindness is completely eliminated.
Works Cited
Los Angeles Times. The quest for diversity at California's state universities, 2014. Web 19 April 2014
Hale, Frank. What Makes Racial Diversity Work in Higher Education: Academic Leaders Present Successful Policies and Strategies. Stylus Publishing, LLC., 2004. Print.
