The Affirmative Action Myth: Why Blacks don't need racial preference to succeed

Author Information

  • Jason L. Riley was born on July 8, 1971, in Buffalo, New York
  • Riley works to counter the narrative that affirmative action is necessary for black success
  • Riley's first book was written in 2008 titled Let Them In: The Case for Open Border 
  • Considered a Black Conservative Commentator who critiques race-based policies
  • In 1994, Riley Joined the Wall Street Journey as a copyreader on the national news desk

Book Summary

The author argues that affirmative action is unnecessary and harmful to Black Americans as it promotes negative stereotypes. The author claims that while trying to make college accessible to students they are continuously ignoring the underlying issues that cause disparities in education. Furthermore, he claims that lowering schools/jobs standards can reduce education quality while further “proving” negative stereotypes. Furthermore, he argues that these students are more likely to drop out or fail out because they were put in an environment they were not yet prepared for. In the end he claims that the best way for college admissions is only to accept students through a merit-based system

Key Points 

Black Americans were already making progress before Affirmative Action

  • Riley argues that during the 1960's black Americans were already making changes based on income. homeownership, and educational attainment.  He argues they were already marking history based on their own efforts.

Affirmative Action harmed Black Americans more than helped

  • Riley argues that racial preference undermined black Americans success as when people looked at their achievements, they are also their race being one of key factors instead of their work. 

Real success come from achieving success though merit

  • According to Riley, to gain real treatment the way we achieve success must be under the same standards. He argues that instead of "fixing" outcomes they should support students to have all the resources necessary to achieve success

Black success does not depend on racial preference

  • Riley believes that the idea that black success depends on racial preference is a myth. He believes that those who tie themselves to that idea can cause harm to their dignity and dependence

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