Ad Astra.

I’d like to think of myself as a very liberal person (I am pro-choice, pro same-sex marriage, anti-corporation, environmentally friendly, anti tux cuts for the wealthy… the list could go on). But when it comes to just one issue - that being affirmative action - I just don’t seem to understand it. I’d really like a nice, open discussion with those who support it, so I can understand their point of view.

To me, affirmative action isn’t something I’d want. I can understand it’s sincere efforts to better the lives of the minorities who have been held back then (and may still be), and it’s efforts to reverse discrimination. But it’s a kind of preferential treatment, the way I see it.

As it stands, I am waiting for college acceptance letters to come. And if someone has the same qualifications as I do (grades, extra curriculars, etc.), I don’t want to be given the edge because I’m Mexican. To me, it comes as a kind of pity thing. “Oh, these two kids are so equally matched, but this kid is Latino, so let’s pick him.” Why should the final say be based on my ethnicity? I’ve worked so hard for the past four years to earn what I have, and in the end I’m going to be selected on the basis of my status as a minority? I’d rather prefer admissions take their chances and see which of the two could be better suited for a spot in their college. It’d bring a satisfactory feeling unlike any other to know someone has taken the chance on me.

To me, if we want to better the lives of the minority then we must stop looking at people as either the minority or majority and instead look at them as equals; as human beings. You don’t fix a wrong with another wrong. If someone is more qualified than another (who just happens to be a minority), then that person deserves to get accepted to college, get the job, etc. That’s something examined on the surface level. But if you look underneath and find the other has had a history of a rough life and has overcome the struggles, then you have to look at it from another perspective. But don’t look at race. Look at other factors like geological and economical factors. But hey, that’s what I think, and I don’t know if I have a good enough justification for what I believe. My beliefs are still developing, but I know with confidence where I stand on the political spectrum.

*To conservatives who read this: I hope you don’t use this as a basis to follow me. I’m deeply liberal and this will be the only time I post something that goes against the general views of the party I stand with.

To liberals: I want an actual discussion, no bashing whatsoever. I won’t engage with you if you write stuff like “You’re fucking dumb/You just don’t get it/You’re not a true liberal!” because being aligned with a party does not mean having to agree with everything it stands for. Trust me, I believe in everything but that. And all I want is to see things from your guys’ perspective.