Peter Hall
September 1, 2011
Article 1
This week we discussed the foundation and root of “justice.” We came to realize the word has many different interpretations. On Monday we debated the biggest injustice done to oneself. Affirmative Action was mentioned and I will use this blog to continue its discussion. Race in society is a very intriguing subject due to its sensitivity. Should it be incorporated in every economic, social, and political issue that faces the whole group of citizens? Imagine a teenager in north Memphis living in an underprivileged household. His tiny “house” holds 8 family members very uncomfortably and he is forced to look after his cousins countless hours a week because his mother works long hours. There is no college fund set up, nor any expectations that further education is an option. He needs to help his family financially so he picks up a part time night job that won’t interfere with high school. But it leaves him no time to study or prepare for classes like his peers. He is bright individual and has a relentless work ethic. He cannot afford SAT prep classes and could barely pay for the test itself. Could he be the next president, CEO, teacher, or Lawyer if he gets into a college? We will never know. If Affirmative Action is implemented this young man could have a new chance at life and use his talents rather than fall into a life of blue collar work with little to aspire to.
Now imagine another teenager who has been in and out of SAT Prep, AP/IB classes, and internships. He lives in a large house in a gated community; his parents went to Ivy League schools and have extraordinary expectations for his future. If he does not get into an Ivy League he will be considered a disappointment and will bring the family social embarrassment. Just like the other teenager, he had no choice what family to be born into and should not take punishment for family financial standing. He has an illustrious resume, and almost aced the SAT. There is one last space open at an Ivy League school, and both teenagers apply. Who should get accepted?
Both examples can use “justice” to strengthen their case. If affirmative action was implemented in this situation, the underprivileged teenager would gain admittance over the other. The privileged student would go to another less distinguished school like Rhodes or a state school, but would get ridiculed by his family. If Affirmative Action didn’t take place the privileged student would be admitted and the other would continue his life in north Memphis. Who do you think should be accepted and why? Notice that race was never specified in this situation. It can obviously be inferred but what if affirmative action was categorized by social class rather than by race. If we are trying to make college acceptance easier for minorities, should privileged upper class students be penalized? What is “just” in this situation? What if the north Memphis teenager was white and the privileged student was black, would that change your decision?
This is a very interesting example of affirmative action. In most government implemented affirmative action, it deals with race rather than social class. To the best of my knowledge I believe social class comes more into play in terms of financial aid. I'm not sure if I would consider affirmative action (meaning the teenager from the lower class in this example) for this scenario just. As you said, and as we talked about dealing with The Lottery and how it applies to almost everything, these teenagers could not help which family they were born into. I feel as if for these two teenagers the acceptance into the ivy league school should be based only on merit. However, taking this into account, both could use his or her background as a way to distinguish himself as a candidate for the school (for instance: through the admissions essay or interview). To judge them on anything other than merit as a student, I feel, would be unjust.
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