Falling off the tight rope

As a student of color, I find the legal action being brought by Jian Li, Yale '10 extremely disquieting. In an era when affirmative action and campus diversity are still hot-button issues, Li had the nerve to use this controversial platform to explain why he was not admitted to Princeton. Rather than treat this rejection as a personal matter, Li is alleging an anti-Asian bias in Princeton's admission practices, citing unequal affirmative action policies and his own personal achievements as proof of discrimination.

It would appear that Li takes exception with the points given or taken away from other minority groups in this country with regard to the SAT. According to the research, some students get more points added to their scores while others have points deducted depending on what racial demographic they are a part of. What he fails to realize is that race and socioeconomic are closely joined in this country. That is to say, just because an individual is a person of color does not mean that they have the exact same advantages and disadvantages as an individual of color who is of a different racial background. To assume that the circumstances of every person of color in this country are identical and should thus be quantified similarly when considering SAT scores is naive.

Li went into depth about his high school accomplishments, both scholastic and otherwise, and uses that success as an indication of failure on the part of Princeton. I find this argument ludicrous for several reasons. Universities, imperfect as they can be, at least attempt to create an environment of thinkers from different walks of life. In doing so, their mission is to pick the best of particular groups and categories. Whether we like it or not, the reality of the situation is that applicants are judged against whatever group or groups in which they fall. Li believes his non-admission was based on his heritage. That is not the case. He was measured up against other well-qualified Asian-Americans and Princeton made its decision with regard to that particular pool of qualified applicants. To assume that this rejection occurred because he was Asian or to even think the same did not happen to other perfectly qualified students of a similar background is ridiculous.

It appears that Li's argument is as follows: As an Asian-American who is extremely intelligent and involved in things outside the classroom, the only explanation for his not being admitted is discrimination. Li here fails to realize or show regard for several pertinent factors. First, it appears that he is not aware that a staggering majority of the students at elite universities in this country were also extremely gifted and involved students in high school. In that way, he is not unique. Second, and much more important, his argument and suit do not address the tangible numbers in the situation concerning Asian-American students in higher education.

According to the 2005 census, Asian-Americans made up 4.3 percent of the population compared to 74.7 percent for whites (which included Hispanics that identified as white), 12.1 percent for African-Americans and 0.8 percent for Native Americans. According to Princeton's admissions website, the 2006-07 undergraduate enrollment demographically broke down as such: 64 percent white Americans and 28 percent American minorities, which includes African-American, Asian-American, Latino and Native American students. Of those 28 percentage points, roughly 13 represent students of Asian-American descent. Considered in the context of national demographics, Asian-Americans are overrepresented at the University. How does one explain Li's allegations?

Li does not take exception with the representation of Asian-Americans at Princeton. Rather, he finds it unacceptable that he is not party to that representation. How would he explain the Asian-American presence at Princeton? Did these students merely get lucky? Yes and no. Yes, because all students, regardless of color, race, creed or sexual orientation, are at the mercy of admission board criteria. Some make the cut and some do not. No, because the students who were admitted, Asian-American and otherwise, had whatever it was the admissions board was looking for. Because he did not, he dares to allege discrimination?

Since he cannot comprehend the subjectivity that factors into college admission, Li had the gall to unnecessarily racialize a personal defeat. Therein lies the absurdity and disrespect. To conflate his circumstance and argument with the real struggles that those before him, Asian-American and otherwise, suffered is reprehensible, and he should be ashamed of himself. Jonathan T.M. Pitts-Wiley is a member of the Class of 2008 at Yale and a columnist for The Yale Daily News. He may be reached at jonathan.pitts-wiley@yale.edu.