Let's stop saying Asian Americans are 'divided' over affirmative action

OPINION:

With a complaints filed against the admission policies of Harvard and Yale and a measure meant to overturn California's ban on affirmative action, Prop. 209, affirmative action is back back in the news.

That also means the return of misleading headlines touting the "division" within the Asian American community over the policy meant to open the doors to those people who have historically been denied those opportunities because of their race, ethnicity, gender or religion

I'm over being amused at headlines such as "Asian Americans divided over affirmative action." I'm frustrated. I'm angry.

There are a lot of Whites who sit on both sides of the affirmative action argument but do you see any headlines about "divided" White people?

The focus is on Asian Americans because they are the ones mentioned in the complaints against the Ivy League schools. Asian American students also make up the largest ethnic group next to Whites in California's universities.

“Now, during this critical time when our country is having important conversations around systemic racism, we need to show strong allyship by working in coalition with other communities of color. Affirmative action lifts everyone up together and gives all people of color better access to education and opportunities,” Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA’s CEO, Connie Chung Joe said during a press conference of several L.A. community leaders and advocates. 

There is plenty of evidence that says the majority of AAPI are in favor of affirmative action. According to an AAPI Data survey, almost two-thirds of Asian American respondents support affirmative action, and many Asian American organizations have banded together to affirm their support for race-conscious admissions policies.

A more interesting story -- but more difficult to verify -- is why is Edward Blum, the white man who has quarterbacked several campaigns against affirmative action in Texas and Harvard, and now Yale and California, where voters will decide on the issue in November with Prop. 16?

An even more interesting story would be -- who is bankrolling Students for FAir Admissions and why are Asian Americans being used as foils against affirmative action?

Blum, a white man, is using Asian Americans as a shield against giving tghe appearance of racism when a white student files the complaint, as one did in Fisher v. University of Texas, in which the US Supreme Court ruled that race can be a factor in evaluating a student applicant.

The complaint against affirmative action implies that qualified minorities (Asian Americans) are being hurt by the admission of unqualified students (Laitnos and Blacks) diverting attention from the historic "affirmative action" that has been given to mostly White students through timely monetary donations by wealthy families and legacy admissions through family connections. 

At the Los Angeles press conference, L.A. Councilmember David Ryu stated, “We are standing together today in firm support of Proposition 16 and against California’s “‘race-neutral policies.’” Councilmember Ryu continued, “They have failed Black, Latino, and Indigenous Californians ... and they have failed Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians.” 

The model minority myth is being used against other minority groups in the debate over affirmative action. “The model minority myth has continuously harmed our (AAPI) community by creating a false narrative that our children are natural high achievers, are not in need of resource, support, or face inequities. This myth has also been used to then shame and discredit the struggles Black and, Latinx communities face,” said Joe.

In the case against Harvard and Yale admission policies, Students for Fair Admissions have used California's race neutral admissions (mandated by Prop. 209) as an example of how diversity could be achieved without affirmative action.

However, Prop. 209, which banned affirmative action at California public universities in 1998, did hurt educational and wage attainments for Black and Latino students and worsened socioeconomic inequality, says a new study from UC Berkeley’s Center for Studies in Higher Education.

”University affirmative action policies are highly controversial,” Bleemer said when the study was released. “This study answers many of the key questions at the base of that controversy. If you don’t support affirmative action because you think it might not help targeted Black and Hispanic students, this study should make you rethink your beliefs.”

Affirmative action goes beyond college admissions and into employment and can hinder professional development. “These inequalities show themselves as lower wages and a bamboo ceiling that Asian Americans hit when being considered for leadership positions,” said Pilipino Workers’ Center’s Executive Director Aquilina Soriana Versoza. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: A word of caution, this is news sprinkled with opinion. Readers are encouraged to seek multiple news sources to formulate their own positions.