Missing elements in the debate about affirmative action and Asian-Americans

Opponents strategized anew after important Supreme Court decisions in favour of affirmative action

Media reports have stated that the Justice Department under President Donald Trump is planning to investigate a complaint of discrimination against Harvard University brought by a coalition of Asian-American groups.

From our perspective as scholars who study affirmative action, race and diversity in higher education, the complaint reflects a flawed understanding of race-conscious education policies like affirmative action.

How do affirmative action policies work, and whom do they affect?

Fisher case

Let’s first look at the legal wrangling that has been going on for some time on this issue. Since the 1978 Regents of the