Affirmative Action

When we were first assigned to rank each applicant to a college, I thought it was easy. I started with the students with the highest GPAs and SAT scores. I ranked them accordingly. But then I realized that I didn't even take into account their extracurricular activities, involvement, and leadership and service roles. So I started from scratch again. I realized all their GPAs ranged from a 3.5-4.0. These were all amazing GPAs! How was I supposed to pick? I began weighing their activities and experience more than the GPA and SAT score. I took the academics into account when ranking the applicants, but the experience became a larger factor. I then realized that two students were tied in my opinion; one student was of a minority, and the other was white. I picked the minority. But why did I do this? Why did some of my peers act the same way?

Race often becomes a factor in the admissions process. A part of me finds this wrong and unfair, but a part of me finds this completely understandable and beneficial. If students of different race are accepted into the university, the school becomes more diverse. This ultimately adds to a unique college experience. Classes and discussions might be veered in different, better directions. Students may begin to exhibit what people label "color blind" by interacting and building strong friendships with those of a minority. Race can clearly be beneficial in a college environment.

But there's always that counterargument that shows how unfair it is to take affirmative action. First off, one might argue that there are other differences among students that satisfy diversity needs. Harvard noticed this and took students from all around the nation. According to Harvard, "Diversity meant students from California, New York, and Massachusetts; city dwellers and farm boys; violinists, painters, and football player; biologists, historians, and classicists; potential stockbrokers, academics and politicians." They are completely right, but race is just one more type of diversity.  


Race can transform a university. In California vs. Bakke a special type of admission was added to the university, to incorporate students of different race to the school. This specific admission had lower academic standards and whites were not allowed to apply here. Justice Powell indicated the three major flaws of this system: "First, it may not always be clear that a so-called preference is in fact benign. . . Second, preferential programs may only reinforce common stereotypes holding that certain groups are unable to achieve success without special protection. . . Third, there is a measure of inequity in forcing innocent persons in respondent's position to bear the burdens of redressing grievances not of their making." I find the University's admission process to be very unfair and bias. Minorities are assumed to not be as intelligent as whites, and whites are automatically assumed to be more intelligent and smarter. But what the university has not considered is that many successful schools have a diverse student body and all students academically thrive. The University should have one admission process for fairness and to maintain the quality of the school.


University of Michigan also counted race as a large factor in admission. The process functioned as a point system. There were a set amount of points given for specific activities, extracurricular, experiences, leadership and service roles, academics, etc. But what I found interesting is that race played a large factor in this point system. A student of a minority was given 20 points just for the sake of being a minority, whereas the admission essay was worth only three points. I don't understand how this is fair. Yes, the 20 points account for the disadvantages of most of the minorities, but I believe it shouldn't be weighed as much. I like the point system, but the University should reconsider the weight of certain values.

Race should be a factor in college admission, but it shouldn't be a big determining factor. Race definitely should be a factor, but only to an extent. Everything, including academics and outside experience and activities, should be considered first. Then race can be revealed a play a factor. The fact that whites argue that this is unfair can seem abhorring. Minorities have so much more to deal with, so much more to struggle with and whites ignore this fact. Minorities often attend schools that don't have support, or aren't academically to the high standards of white schools. This needs to be taken into account. But the common white person forgets this small, but important factor because we are selfish. We all are selfish and fail to recognize that we are privileged, that we always get the benefit of the doubt. Tim Wise expresses this idea in "Whites Swim in Racial Preference." He states, "We strike the pose of self-sufficiency while ignoring the advantages we have been afforded in every realm of activity: housing, education, employment, criminal justice, politics, banking and business. We ignore the fact that at almost every turn, our hard work has been met with access to an opportunity structure denied to millions of others." I agree with Tim Wise. Take Deerfield for example. Our student body is white dominated and we are a very strong school academically. Now take Deerfield and compare it to a public city-school. There is obviously more diversity, but the quality of the school is also lower than that of Deerfield's. Race needs to be a factor in admission in order to give everyone a fair opportunity, but some universities need to re-evaluate their admission process and need to make sure to weigh race appropriately. Affirmative action is very complex, and can be looked upon in various ways.

Friends are Forever

Last week, a body was found in the Park ridge Forest Preserve, fifty feet from the sidewalk. The body's hands and face were decomposed and there was a wound in the head. A few days later the body was identified. John Tsichlis, husband and father of three sons. Investigators then declared that he died of a self-inflicted wound, suicide. The middle child, Louie Tsichlis, 18 years old, is my good friend, now a friend who has to grieve the loss of his role model, best friend, and hero--his father.

I first heard of Louie's loss through facebook. He had written a long status expressing his feelings and how he was going to stay strong for his family. He stated: "My father raised his family with the most passion and love imaginable. Who would have known that all our amazing moments would suddenly end. . . One day I will be healed, but will forever live with the scar of a loss that will make me always remember how much I loved my father, and how much he loved his family and me. . . I promise myself and my family that I will be stronger than ever to fight through this indescribable pain and stay proud to who I am. My pride will make me strong, knowing that my father will always be looking down from Heaven at me, as proud of me as I was of him." To see a friend in such pain breaks my heart. I have been there for him, always trying to provide an escape or someone to talk to. However, when I am back at home I fall weak at the knees as someone mentions the loss. I cry for my friend; I cry for his family; I pray for them and his father, hoping they can overcome this pain. I have lost my grandma and others close to me, but to lose a father is nothing comparable to what I have experienced. I cannot dictate and put words to my feelings for Louie and his family. I pray that he will stay strong and turn to others, including myself, when in need. I am always here for you Louie.

This same week, a few days later, Apostolos Kougias passed away. A husband, father, grandfather, and friend. My friend Theo was a grandson filled with pain when he heard the news. He, too, felt sadness and pain. Although I have not known Theo for that long, I still pray for him, his family, and his pappou (grandfather in Greek). I lost my grandmother nine years ago and I remember the day like it was yesterday. I know it is hard, but it will only get easier. The love will never go away, just like the memories. I am here for you Theo, and I hope our friendship will only grow.

Everyone dies. But this doesn't mean that it is easy to watch someone die or live with a death. It affects everyone, even if they didn't directly know the person who passed away. I did not know Theo's pappou, nor Louie's dad, but I do know Louie and Theo. This stressful, sad week has taught me many different lessons. I have learned to value life and those around me more. I cherish the moments I spend with those I love and save the memories. I have learned that memories truly are eternal and I try to share this with Louie and Theo. I have learned that friends and family are critical to those dealing with a loss. I have reached out to both of them and have prayed every day. I cry for them and feel pain, but I know that I need to be strong for them in case they choose to turn to me. I love you Louie and Theo and am sorry for your losses. Just remember, they are looking down at you from Heaven, urging you to continue on with your life. And also remember that they are only gone if you dismiss them from your life. Keep them in your heart, in your mind. remember all the memories you had and cherish them. But remember to make new memories with friends and family. Just as Louie stated, make them your inspiration and make them proud.

Terrill Swift

Terrill Swift was a member of the "Englewood Four," a group of men who were wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of a Chicago woman in 1994. They had each "accidentally" confessed to the murder, sending them each to jail. Terrill Swift along with the other three males were all exonerated.

At first, I thought, "How can someone accidentally confess or give a fake confession? What idiot would do this?!" I didn't understand. Yes, they obviously were under pressure, but it didn't make sense until Swift told his story. He was manipulated into signing a sheet of paper which stated the confession. They would not allow him to go home, until he signed it. So he obviously did. . . . without reading what it was. Swift emphasized that this was his biggest mistake, that it cost him fifteen years of his life and advised us to READ THE FINE PRINT from then on. He didn't exactly confess himself, but was rather tricked. I find it so cruel that someone would go to these measures just to convict a man of a name that had been mentioned by one the other three members of the "Englewood Four." Realistically, I know that I will not read all the FINE PRINT so to speak, but I will be more conscious of this type of manipulation. I will look at the contract before signing, but I know that I will not take the time and be patient to read everything. I hope my peers learn from his mistake and I hope that they will not make a silly mistake, costing them years of their life in prison.

I reflect upon what Swift said, and I am still awe stricken. I never realized how much the world changes in fifteen years, and I never realized that that is almost how many years I have been alive. In the past fifteen years so much has happened. In 2000, a new millenium began. In 2001, the Twin Towers and the United States were attacked. Troops were sent to Iraq and recently came back. The first iPod and touch screen were made. Apple macs along with other high-tech materials were introduced. The first black president was elected in the US. Osama Bin Laden was caught. To come back to a completely different lifestyle is challenging, especially on parole. He explained that if he was two steps away from his destination, he would be arrested or questioned. To not have the freedom to explore the new world is very hard. And to also have to re establish social skills makes it even harder. Swift lost 15 years of his life, along with opportunities all because of a signature. I hope to learn from Swift and to value each day I live in society.

White Like Me

Tim Wise's chapter "Privilege" is a collection of stories and instances from his life where he feels he has felt more privileged than blacks. He describes how being white was beneficial and a bonus in every situation, that if he was black he would be treated more differently and harsher. He talks about his experience at elementary school and how racism was still evident, even if he didn't notice it right away.  It was there, and would always be present no matter the age or no matter how hard someone tried to ignore the difference of race. But what I found intriguing was that the colored students noticed the racism because they lived through it. Wise reflected upon that one day at recess when he played monkey in the middle football and said, "They were able to make me not only a nigger, but their nigger. . . Today Tim, you the nigger. Today, you will be the one who gets to jump and run, and huff and puff. Today we laugh, and not with you, but at you. We like you and all that, but today, you belong to us" (26). His friends had those few moments of power each time they played, but for the rest of their lives the power was instilled within the whites. That was the reality though. Whites unconsciously thought more highly of themselves and unconsciously didn't recognize racism at a young age like blacks. Wise thought of it as a privilege to be white, he got the better "version" of life, so to speak.

As Wise grew older, the idea of white superiority became more pronounced. He clearly saw that it was a privilege to be white, but here is where I disagree. He shared how drama and the debate club were mainly white and how the white teams were overall better. This may be true at instances, but I feel as if he looked too much into both experiences. Not to be stereotypical, but not that many blacks act or are on the debate team. There obviously are some blacks in both activities, but the majority are white. Therefore, white actors usually get the lead roles, which I believe is not racist. Tim Wise had a passion for acting, was good at it, and grew up with his dad as an actor by his side. Thus, he was the lead roles in plays. And for the debate team, blacks usually don't enter into this type of activity. However, there are black teams that are successful. The all black Wiley College Debate team of the 1930s beat the top white debate team due to their drive, determination, passion, and motivation. The Wiley College Debate Team just shows how race does not matter at some instances and that anyone can be successful if they work towards it.

What I agree with and find intriguing is that Wise was correct about police action regarding drugs and alcohol. I find that many police officers remain stereotypical and would pull over a beat up car, believing a black man was inside driving. I find it very true and unfair to blacks that officers treat blacks this way, but I guess they are just trying to keep the community safe. It may seem racist to say this, but blacks do seem to be in more crimes than whites. Therefore, I find the officers' actions to be justifiable. I am not racist, but I do prefer whites over blacks. Key word used - PREFER. As Wise shared, many others feel the same way. I guess being white did give him an advantage when he was under the influence, which I find unfair. Police officers should not have let him or his friends go, but hold back the blacks. I would find it more reasonable if they arrested both, but more readily or often blacks. But to let them off the hook is dangerous because they could be just as big of a threat as a black man. I feel as if police officers today are much more fair and do not bypass whites as easily. If they break the law, the break the law. They are more strict, but I do believe that Wise's experiences still circulate the air today, just not as often. Whites are still let off the hook more than blacks, but I guess its just a part of life, a part of racism. I do not believe racism will ever disappear fully and I do not believe this white privilege will ever diminish either. That is the sad reality, but we can always try.