Richard Kahlenberg, a thought leader on class and education, advocates for class-based affirmative action as a fairer alternative to racial preferences in university admissions. He critiques the Trump administration's approach to diversity and discusses the importance of socioeconomic factors in creating equitable access to elite institutions. Kahlenberg explores the potential of vocational training as a viable path alongside traditional college. He also urges the Democratic Party to rethink its strategies to address changing societal attitudes towards class and privilege.
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insights INSIGHT
Liberal Maverick
Richard Kahlenberg, once aligned with liberal views on affirmative action, now finds himself a 'liberal maverick'.
This shift occurred as the Democratic Party moved from class-based to race-based affirmative action.
insights INSIGHT
Class-Based Affirmative Action and Racial Diversity
Class-based affirmative action, using broader definitions of economic disadvantage (wealth, neighborhood), can achieve racial diversity.
This approach considers the wealth gap and neighborhood effects on opportunities.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Multiracial Aristocracy
Kahlenberg recounts attempts to implement "class plus race" affirmative action, but universities prioritized race.
He highlights Harvard's racial diversity alongside its economic segregation, calling it a 'multiracial aristocracy'.
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Richard Kahlenberg's "Class Matters" challenges the traditional approach to affirmative action, arguing that a class-based system is more effective and equitable. The book delves into the history of affirmative action, highlighting the debates and competing visions that shaped its implementation. Kahlenberg presents compelling evidence demonstrating how race-based affirmative action disproportionately benefits privileged minority students, while neglecting those from disadvantaged backgrounds across all races. He proposes a class-based alternative that addresses economic inequality and promotes genuine diversity. The book offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of affirmative action, advocating for a system that prioritizes socioeconomic factors to create a more inclusive society.
Excluded
How Snob Zoning, NIMBYism, and Class Bias Build the Walls We Don't See
Richard Kahlenberg
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