Poll: Majority of Americans support banning the consideration of race in college admissions

A recent poll conducted by The Washington Post and George Mason University shows that 63% of American adults were behind the idea of banning the consideration of race during college admissions.

The poll was conducted between October 7 and October 10.

Respondents were asked, “Would you support or oppose the Supreme Court banning colleges and universities from considering a student’s race and ethnicity when making decisions about student admissions?”

63% of respondents said that they support banning the practice, and 36% said it should stay in place, as reported by Fox News.

Over 60% of White, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic respondents supported barring the consideration of race in college admissions, while 47% of Black respondents believe that colleges ought to consider race when considering admissions.

George Mason University associate professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government Justin Gest told the Washington Post that he believes the results suggest that universities promote diversity without discriminating by race.

“So, the message to universities seems to be: Cultivate and champion diversity without discriminating by race and ethnicity,” Gest said.

Chloe Teachey, who is a Campus Reform correspondent and student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and whose mother immigrated from Vietnam after the Vietnam War, told Fox News that she feels let down by the university.

“As the daughter of an Asian immigrant, I am particularly disappointed that my university, UNC-Chapel Hill, hypocritically claims to promote diversity while taking away chances from Asian Americans,” Teachey said. “UNC’s discrimination against hardworking students in the name of diversity is disappointing.”

She also said that its possible to go against affirmative action without opposing diversity, which is a similar stance to Gest.

“Eliminating affirmative action does not mean opposing against diversity. Universities should base admissions decisions on academics and extracurricular activities, not skin color. There are other ways to promote diversity within the merit system,” Teachey said.

She added, “Affirmative action may sound like a positive policy for universities to have, but it is discrimination. The term tries hides its discriminatory practices behind the concept of diversity.”