Description
Book SynopsisThis book offers eight clear-sighted essays critical of racial “diversity” preferences in American higher education. Unlike more conventional books on the subject, which are essentially apologies for racial reverse discrimination, this volume forthrightly exposes the corrosive effects of identity politics on college and university life.
The fact-filled and hard-hitting chapters are by Heather Mac Donald, Peter N. Kirsanow, Peter W. Wood, Lance Izumi and Rowena Itchon, John Ellis, Carissa Mulder, and the editors Gail Heriot and Maimon Schwarzschild.
Trade Review“The unique advantage of this work in the continuing discussion of race-focused policy and practice is that it helpfully focuses on the experience of affirmative action in a compelling manner. Beyond the moral and philosophical objections to affirmative action, the account of the experience itself powerfully justifies concern for the ills still being done in the pursuit of a vain dream.” —William B. Allen, former chairman, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
“Good intentions all too often produce bad results. Prime example: racial quotas and preferences in higher education. As nine eminent writers explain in A Dubious Expediency, these violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 have not only harmed colleges and universities but have hurt most of all the intended beneficiaries.” —Michael Barone, Washington Examiner
“So much that is written or said about affirmative action is demonstrably false or goes uncontested, allowing the debate about this vital issue to be resolved on the basis of emotions and tired clichés. This anthology will change all that.” —Ward Connerly, former regent of the University of California
“For half a century, supporters of race preferences have used every trick to force their policies on higher education. They have been sold as ‘diversity’ programs, a ‘revision’ of traditional civil rights theory, and even ‘reparations.’ But as this book compellingly notes, they remain unpopular no matter the label. In 2020, voters in deep-blue California shocked the country by decisively rejecting race preferences. The authors of this book are right: It’s time the rest of the country realized this is an exhausted idea that is causing enormous damage to higher education.” —John Fund, National Review
