I would like to congratulate the black community on its increase in UCLA acceptance rates and enrollment. Such an achievement marks the talents and accomplishments of distinct individuals to be fully recognized.
The political spectrum positions poor communities of color in direct conflict with a small group of the rich and powerful. Thus, I believe that an accomplishment on behalf of one marginalized community is a victory for all marginalized communities.
Professor Tim Groseclose and his allegations against UCLA Admissions have sparked a nationwide controversy over unethical admissions processes and the possible violation of Proposition 209. However, I believe that Groseclose’s dramatic reaction frames the issue of under-representation on the UCLA campus in a one-dimensional fashion.
The increase in black admits and the decline in Vietnamese American numbers are not to be regarded as correlating incidents. The results are mutually exclusive. In addition, for Groseclose to imply that the increase in black admits is a result of fraudulent admissions (considering race) completely discredits black students of their merit, character and academic excellence.
If the conversation continues in the thought that admittance numbers are a trade-off between the black and Vietnamese American communities, then it places our communities in opposition with each other. In this framework of manipulative discourse, the controversy distorts the diversity issue into a competition between races and diverts the discussion away from the most important question at hand: Is the university committed to increasing diversity on the UCLA campus by doing everything it can to promote and support community outreach efforts?
UCLA is among the most sought-after universities in the world, so it is no surprise that the admissions process is highly competitive. To assume that the low number of minorities admitted to UCLA are the only ones qualified enough to be accepted would imply that marginalized communities lack the talent, drive and ambition to be successful in higher education. Clearly, this is not the case. Individuals across all communities have the potential and skills to be successful.
However, the social, economic and political conditions which shape their existence deprive them of necessary resources and guidance for success.
For example, students living in low-income neighborhoods experience poor-quality schools because a lack of funds results in overcrowded classrooms, outdated resources, frustrated teachers and ultimately, uninspired students.
Thus, in understanding that certain communities are overlooked and disadvantaged, while recognizing that bright, young minds exist within all of these marginalized communities, it is our social responsibility as privileged college students and powerful university administrators to fully invest in disadvantaged communities in order to achieve a true range of diversity. Why waste our energy, dialogue and media attention around the discourse of questionable merits and Groseclose’s poorly conceived allegations, which only diverts our focus away from the real effort for progress and positive change?
Nguyen is a fourth-year Asian American Studies and world arts and cultures student and is a member of Concerned Asian Pacific-Islander Students for Action.