Privileged compared to most around him? I'm not comparing OP to the Kennedys but just because he came to the US with a few hundred bucks and worked hard does not mean he is not privileged.

The generational poverty thing is a disingenous distraction. Hypercompetitive environments like the bay area is rife with OP-like cases, the parents go after the boxes to check to get into the top schools, the kids check them. OP's son worked hard and will almost certainly go to a good school, but... Sharma's son went to MIT! All that has happened is that the gaming Indian parents do doesnt work as well as it once did because others wised up to it. I see nothing wrong with promoting someone who has "unforced" talent, and in some cases race may be a poor way in some cases to base that upon, but in general it is not so bad.

The real tragedy is that the most unfair thing these colleges do, which the article mentions, legacy admissions, gets a pass in all the AA talk.

> All that has happened is that the gaming Indian parents do doesnt work as well as it once did because others wised up to it. I see nothing wrong with promoting someone who has "unforced" talent, and in some cases race may be a poor way in some cases to base that upon, but in general it is not so bad.

So what you’re saying is that it’s “not so bad” for colleges to pick the upper middle class Hispanic kid over the upper middle class Indian kid, because you think Indian parents are “gaming” the system.

I’m going to say no, that’s racism, and it should be illegal. If you want to give kids a leg up because they’re from a poor family, fine. But it shouldn’t matter what race they are.

1. Yes.

2. Affirmative action is not racism.

Justifying affirmative action based on stereotypes of Indian parents "gaming" the system is absolutely racism.

> Affirmative action is not racism

Can you share the definition of racism that you're using?

If gaming the system means cultivating good study habits, taking rigorous classes over 4 years, generally pushing yourself to realize your potential, maintaining balance through sports and exercise, we're guilty. These are good habits that will serve him well no matter where he goes.

I think you may be projecting your own thoughts and insecurities here.

In that case you should not be too hung up about him getting admission into a "lesser" (according to you) school. But here you are.

Oh absolutely I am projecting my thoughts. I was lucky but I know many Indians who have been pushed by their parents and are miserable. I also dont think a university environment dominated by such kids will be good either for the school or for them down the line. I am pretty positive your son will have a great experience in whatever school he goes to vs whatever ideal school you had in mind for him. Diversity to me is ipso facto a good thing.

Your comment is quite revealing of the cultural conflict underlying this debate. The dominant liberal white culture--which is adopted by many assimilated desis--holds that people should “follow their bliss” and disapproves of how Asians raise their kids. They view that as part of "gaming" the system, don’t like the incentive structure and competitiveness created when educational institutions are “dominated” by Asian kids. For them, capping the percentage of asians to preserve the culture of the institution is valuable in-and-of itself.

It's not about preservation necessarily - I mean these institutions used to be all white Christian male and we obviously dont want that. But yes, the capping is of value, and in fact even a hedge against the ranking slipping. I guess even people like OP would balk at sending their kids to the #1 school if it had 90% Asians, and then that school wont remain #1 for long. The diversity is of value in other ways - experiences outside of your comfort zone and ones that dont come with a quantifiable meric are wonderful things about a college education.

> I guess even people like OP would balk at sending their kids to the #1 school if it had 90% Asians, and then that school wont remain #1 for long.

Why? Harvard was 90% WASPs when it became #1. Universities in India and China do just fine with 99% Indians and Chinese. What difference does it make?

> The diversity is of value in other ways - experiences outside of your comfort zone and ones that dont come with a quantifiable meric are wonderful things about a college education.

And you can't have those things if you have too many Asian students?

>I was lucky but I know many Indians who have been pushed by their parents and are miserable.

We hang out in different circles. Looks like your default position is that Asian American kids have been pushed to study by their parents. Did it ever occur to you that many kids like to push themselves and test their mettle?

>I also dont think a university environment dominated by such kids will be good either for the school or for them down the line.

You're making up stuff about "university environment dominated by such kids." That's right, let's admit unprepared kids by lowering the bar. We'll act puzzled when they drop off from STEM programs into easier majors (which is a well known phenomenon, BTW.)