Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby

by Stephen L. Carter

Book Overview

A self-described beneficiary (and, at times, victim) of affirmative action confronts the problems spawned by our national obsession with racial measurement. Carter provides a thoughtful analysis of this controversial issue, arguing that affirmative action often allows the nation to escape inexpensively from its moral obligation to undo the legacy of slavery.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465068715
• ISBN13: 9780465068715
• Release Date: October 1991
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A book to encourage debate- not end it!!

This is not the book that many will expect it to be. If the reader is looking for a book taking a position for or against affirmative action, she will be dissapointed here. In fact, half of the book actually is absent talk of affirmative action at all. What Carter does do in "Reflections.." is relay to us his experiences, thoughts and feelings on the matter in the style of an internal socratic dialogue. Stephen Carter is just the man to do it. He has written many books on the many aspects of law and, as he conveys in this cultural memoir, has aquired views notoriously hard to pin down (how many 'liberals' do YOU know who wrote books suggesting that church/state seperation has been taken too far?!) Accordingly, he can admits both being helped by affirmative action and being psychologically hurt by some of it's misguided effects. His willingness to think and write about these quandaries, so often neglected by other thinkers, makes this a fascinating read. No dogmatic diatribes or easy answers, just discussion that is passionate yet objective. While affirmative action dominates the first half of the book, it is used as a springboard to the second half, which discusses a deeper problem- that of a noticeable distrust in Black America of dissenting political voices. Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Clarence Thomas and the like are quick to be called 'white' or 'inauthentic' if they voice opinions contrary to mainstream black thought. Whether or not you agree with Carter's observation, his discussion here is lively, thoughtful and always respectful of all angles. So, to close, the reason for the subtracted star is the fact that this book might disappoint two expectations readers may have for it- First, there are no conclusions reached here. While this is a good thing in itself, the reader looking for winning intellectual argument will need to look elsewhere. The second is that the title is a bit misleading as only about 100 pages are actually on affirmative action. Again, the discussion after is just as mind-capturing. Still, because of the title and synopsis, it is a bit misleading.

Required reading for everyone!

I picked up this one in a second-hand bookstore in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. What an odd place for such a book, and what a treat it was for me!!I have many friends from the US, and I have over the years heard they mentioning of "AA-programs". Some of my friends are positive to the AA-programs while others are against them. I must confess that I have absolutely no first-hand experience on this topic at all. I have the "preferred" skin-color, and also I'm living in Norway - which is one of the more advanced countries when it comes to equal opportunities - equal pay etc. Therefore, in the past, I had little to contribute with when the topic was discussed. And lack of knowledge was probably my strongest motive for reading "Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby". One would think that a serious topic as Affirmative Action really is, would make a dry and rather verbose book. But Dr. Carter has an easy writing style, combined with his personal anecdotes - "Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby" was an entertaining read! I greatly enjoyed the book from page one. It was too good to put down, so I finished it in a few long sittings.After reading this book, I have a better understanding on how the different AA-program works. And I must admit that I side with the ones of my friends whom are against such programs. This, simply because I truly believe that "color-blind is best". Treat everyone as individuals, and stop the stereotyping, and the building up under the belief that minorities cannot compete in a level playing field. For example, when American universities admit Blacks, Hispanics or others with lower exam scores than the rest, it is a waste of resources. They are more likely to follow the trend with lower test results than the rest, to not pass the exams, or fail to graduate at all (Thomas Sowell "Race and Culture - A world view", 1995). If any minority group be it Blacks, Hispanics or others, score lower than other groups, the recourses should be put in to improving the schools rather than telling them (the minorities) they do not need to meet the same standards as others. I can of course never completely comprehend or understand the terrible injustice and the endless frustrations that the minorities must have suffered, as I believe you have to have "walked in their shoes" to do so. But I am at least much more knowledgeable when discussing the topic.After reading the book I passed it on to my friend, Rosa. She is living in US, but her parents moved from Puerto Rico to US some 30 years ago. She too, finished the book in a sitting or two, and she passed it on to her mother who was visiting from US. Both Rosa and her mother could perfectly well identify with Dr. Carter's book. I can never imagine what it is like to feel the doubt of colleagues to whether my success was achieved because of my race (and thereof by the privileges granted under an AA-program) rather than merit. But according to what Rosa told me, that is something all minorities h

Provocative Thinking about a Major Cultural Problem

I must confess from the outet that likely I am not part of a recognized minority, unless one considers a short, German belonging to a small, conservataive Christian church such. Carter is a provocative writer and thinker. Having read other works of his on culture and religion and law, this is yet another which shows us this talented man's ability to present a lucid, well thought out opinion.Many points put forth in this work caused me to seriously ponder my views, and my culture's. My sensisitivity has been heightened, my horizons have been stretched and broadened. Admittedly so, I have not had enough exposure to all the voices Carter provides besides his own. This is of tremendous value to me.Still horrifying and repugnant to me personally to know the reality of racism and all of its trump cards that both sides play. Carter seeks to expose them all for what they're worth. The solidarity and love he has for his heritage shines forth, as well the balance and passionate opinions he expresses for resolve in the future.

Thought-provoking, eloquent, erudite...

I was actually assigned to read a chapter of this book for one of my classes and wound up purchasing the entire thing because I found it so utterly compelling. What makes this a refreshing departure from other books on affirmative action is how Carter manages to personalize his message while at the same time not coming off as an ideologue. His arguments are too well-reasoned, too thought-provoking, for anyone to dismiss his work out of hand. His theory of affirmative action walks the line between anecdotal evidence and policy analysis, but his exposition is so graceful that these competing methods don't create contradiction. Carter manages to write both a poignant account of his own experience with affirmative action as well as a critical analysis of the motivation behind affirmative action and it's failed execution in the U.S.Carter's book has once again proven that affirmative action is something intelligent people can disagree about, for respectively rational and well-meaning reasons. I am no closer to knowing the "right" answer to such a muddled issue, but the fact that Carter is thinking and writing about it enrichens the debate immeasurably.

Carter's perspective or affirmative action is authoritative

Carter presents the issue of affirmative action and racial preference in a refreshing light. He accurately identifies the tendency of the modern political world to require all African American people to share the opinions of the "black cacus" or be disloyal or less than genuine to their own people. He considers not only the ideology of affirmative action but also its actual consequences. It is a refreshingly authoritative, and well considered opinion.