Natasha K. Warikoo Bücher

Affirmative action in college admissions – considering whether an applicant is part of an underrepresented group when making selection decisions – has long been a topic of heated public debate. Some argue that it undermines racial equity. Others advocate for its ability to promote equal opportunity in a racially unequal society. Who is right? In this thought-provoking book, Natasha Warikoo dives into the arguments for and against a policy that has made it to the US Supreme Court multiple times. Along the way, she digs into the purposes of higher education and the selection process itself to argue that it is a mistake to equate college admissions with personal merit and reward for individual accomplishment. Rather, college admissions should be based on furthering the mission of higher education: contributing to our shared democracy and to the human condition. Ultimately, Warikoo concludes that affirmative action is fair in an inherently unfair system, given the vast inequality in American society. No matter what their perspective, readers of this book will find themselves thinking anew and asking the deeper questions that underlie this emotive debate.

The suburbs are often celebrated for their manicured lawns, quiet streets, and high-quality schools, historically serving as enclaves for white Americans who use public education to secure college placements for their children. However, nonwhite parents are increasingly recognizing the benefits of these elite suburban schools and are moving in to enhance their children's educational opportunities. In this exploration, the author delves into an elite high school in the Northeast, where Asian American students, whose families have relocated to the area, begin to excel academically, often outperforming their white peers. This shift prompts a reaction from white parents, who express concerns about the heightened academic rigor, claiming it negatively impacts their children's mental health. They petition for reduced homework and seek to shift focus towards extracurricular activities, attempting to redefine success in ways that maintain their advantages. Even when faced with competition, these families work to alter the educational landscape to ensure their continued dominance in the meritocracy, illustrating the lengths to which they will go to preserve their status.