EconTalk Roland Fryer on Race, Diversity, and Affirmative Action
72 snips
Sep 4, 2023 In this engaging discussion, Harvard economist Roland Fryer explores the role of data in addressing racial disparities and education reform. He shares insights from his grandmother, a pioneer in school integration, and reflects on the importance of personal experiences in shaping academic interests. Fryer critiques hiring practices and highlights the need for a data-driven approach to combat discrimination. He also discusses the future of college admissions post-affirmative action, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to education and systemic reform for fostering diversity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Sources of Disparities
- Racial disparities arise from tastes, information gaps, or structural biases, according to economists like Becker and Arrow.
- Measuring discrimination is complex, as it requires isolating the causal effect of race on outcomes.
Childhood Racism
- Roland Fryer recounts experiencing blatant racism growing up in Texas in the 1980s.
- A stark example involved being excluded from friends' living rooms due to his race.
Disparity vs. Discrimination
- Fryer argues that not all disparities equal discrimination; some stem from other factors.
- Measuring skills accurately is crucial to distinguish true discrimination from mismeasured data.
