![]() On Thursday, the Supreme Court took a significant step in correcting an affirmative action policy that, though well-intentioned, has fallen far short of building the kind of diverse college campuses we need. Raised in West Linn, Oregon, she grew up just outside of Portland.Īna Fernandez: This Supreme Court decision gives us a better chance to get college diversity right Summer Tan is a rising sophomore majoring in social anthropology and history at Harvard College. What’s more, the Supreme Court has jeopardized the intellectual and academic diversity that my peers, professors and I value: The very same diversity that has made this nation great. It stands counter to the aspirations for equity that motivated the 14th Amendment’s codification, which granted citizenship to those “born or naturalized in the United States.” This ruling will affect generations to come, keeping many students from gaining access to the academic spaces that I have benefitted from. More than that, it acknowledges that everyone should have a seat at the table. But learning the facts - that affirmative action is critical for fostering equal access and opportunity in our academic institutions -cemented my belief that affirmative action is necessary if we want to create an equitable nation. And there are conflicting thoughts about how Asian American applicants like me are impacted by it. I grew up hearing equal praise and concern about affirmative action, from my family and community alike. Access to an elite institution has given me the privilege of an incredible support system and a professional network that I might otherwise have never attained. ![]() It is because of my experiences as an Asian American that I became passionate about advocating for greater representation, empowered by Harvard’s resources. I don’t believe there is any way my application could have been considered without my race being a factor because it has so heavily shaped my life and my potential. It also detailed the pandemic-driven racism I faced in the US. My Harvard application essay - 750 words that defined me, my curiosity, dreams, and ambitions - was about a trip I’d taken to Taiwan in my childhood.
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