Richard Sander about Sowell and Racial Preferences in Admissions
Jun 9, 2022
01:38:26
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Quick takeaways
The recent legal challenge to affirmative action highlights the need for transparency in admissions policies and a clean prohibition on race-based preferences.
Mismatching, the negative consequences of admitting students with lower qualifications, plays a crucial role in questioning the credibility and fairness of current affirmative action policies.
Proposition 209's elimination of racial preferences in college admissions resulted in increased minority applicants, improved academic performance, and graduation rates, highlighting the importance of a fair and merit-based approach.
Deep dives
The Legal Challenge to Affirmative Action in College Admissions
The recent legal challenge to affirmative action in college admissions is focused on quantitatively analyzing the use of racial preferences. Internal documents from universities such as Harvard and the University of North Carolina have revealed significant racial disparities in admissions. These disparities demonstrate that race is a determinative factor in admissions decisions, rather than just a minor influencing factor. The challenge argues that universities are not entitled to deference on this issue, especially considering the history of bypassing the issue of mismatching. The focus on concrete evidence and data from studies highlights the need for transparency in admissions policies, as well as a clean prohibition on race-based preferences.
The Importance of Mismatching in Affirmative Action
While the concept of mismatching has not directly been addressed in the recent legal challenge to affirmative action, it remains a key issue when considering university policies. Mismatching refers to the negative consequences that can arise when students are admitted to universities with lower academic qualifications. Studies have shown that mismatching can lead to lower graduation rates, difficulties in academic performance, and interracial strife. However, the Supreme Court's focus in this case is more on the quantifiable evidence of racial preferences rather than the mismatching aspect. Nevertheless, mismatching plays a crucial role in questioning the credibility and fairness of current affirmative action policies.
The Impact of Prop 209 in California
Proposition 209, which eliminated racial preferences in college admissions and public employment, had a significant impact in California. The proposition resulted in a substantial increase in minority applicants to the University of California (UC) system, as well as improved academic performance and graduation rates among minority students. The elimination of racial preferences allowed for greater transparency in the admissions process and created a level playing field for all applicants. However, long-term enforcement has been a challenge, with pressure from various groups preventing effective lawsuits against the university. Despite this, the positive effects of Prop 209 highlight the importance of a fair and merit-based approach to college admissions.
The Need for a Clean Prohibition on Racial Preferences
The ongoing legal challenge underscores the need for a clear and unambiguous prohibition on racial preferences in college admissions. Transparency and accountability are essential in ensuring fair and equal opportunities for all applicants. While universities have used terms like 'tipping the scale' to justify their policies, the significant disparities in admissions based on race clearly demonstrate the extent of preference given. The challenge argues that universities should not be entitled to special treatment and should face rigorous enforcement to ensure compliance with a clean prohibition on racial preferences. Ultimately, the emphasis should be on a merit-based system that rewards academic achievements rather than perpetuating inequality.
Effects of Affirmative Action on Academic Performance and Faculty Hiring
The podcast discusses the effects of affirmative action on academic performance and faculty hiring. It highlights the concept of mismatching, where students who receive large preferences in admissions struggle academically, leading to negative effects like lower grades and decreased interest in pursuing academic careers. The podcast also mentions the challenges in studying the effects of preferences on faculty hiring and cross-racial attitudes. Additionally, it touches on issues like affirmative grading and grade inflation, which can create disparities and stigmatization in education. The episode emphasizes the importance of meritocracy and creative strategies to address racial discrepancies, such as promoting housing integration and addressing social factors that impact educational outcomes.
The Challenges of Racial Identity and Education System
The podcast explores the challenges related to racial identity and the education system. It discusses the impact of large preferences on racial dynamics and the formation of separate communities on college campuses. The episode highlights the need for housing integration and points out the importance of intermarriage in promoting social integration. It also mentions the structural defects in the current American education system and the negative consequences of excessive education, favoring K-8 education as a crucial period. The podcast concludes by emphasizing the significance of promoting meritocracy over unnecessary elements in education and advocating for improvements in the K-8 education system.
1) Basic Books (Sowell's publisher) is teaming up with The Genius of Thomas Sowell Podcast to offer listeners a chance to win 4 Sowell books. Enter at SowellBooks.com for a chance to win!
2) We are having our first, live, in person Book Club meeting on Saturday, July 9, 2022 in Los Angeles. This is a free event. We will be discussing Sowell's 2020 book "Charter Schools and Their Enemies." If you'd like to attend, please email me at WolanAlan@gmail.com and I'll give you the details.
3) During the month of June we are running a truck advertising campaign in Los Angeles to promote the pod. Here's the VIDEO from the first day.
You can find Alan's video interview on the "Cut The Bull" Podcast HERE.
You can find Alan's appearance on the "Calmversations" Podcast with Benjamin Boyce HERE.
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In this episode, we continue to explore the subject of Affirmative Action which was inspired by reading Chapter 6 of Thomas Sowell's 1993 classic "Inside American Education."
Today's episode features a long form interview with Richard Sander, law professor at UCLA Law School.
You can find more information about Richard Sander HERE.
I also interviewed Gustav Kuhn, Professor of Psychology at Goldsmith's University in London and Founder of The Magic Lab, about two ways politicians use the techniques of magicians to manipulate the public. His website is HERE.
If you would like to see the magic trick which baffled Professor Kuhn, you can watch it HERE.
Notes: • Our updated listener statistics to the podcast can be found HERE.
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