 reporting that the Trump administration will be rescinding Obama-era guidance on the use of race and ethnicity in student admissions (higher education) and assignments (K–12).

This is good news. As I explained on NRO as the Obama statements were issued — here and here and here, for example — they misread the law and were bad policy as well.


It’s not that complicated: As a policy matter, skin color and national origin should not play a role in deciding where a student can go to school. The costs of such discrimination overwhelm any claim of “educational benefits” from having a politically correct racial and ethnic mix of students. As a legal matter, while the courts have, alas, left the door ajar for this sort of discrimination, they have also placed significant restraints on it. The federal government should not be encouraging schools to do as much of this as they can get away with, which is what the Obama administration’s guidance did.

Most of the arguments against politically correct racial discrimination have been around for a long time, but I’ll mention briefly the two that have recently, and rightly, attracted greater attention.

First, it is not just white students who are frequently discriminated against, but Asian-American students as well. Indeed, as America becomes increasingly multiracial and multiethnic — and as individual Americans are themselves more and more likely to be multiracial and multiethnic — it becomes more and more untenable for our institutions to sort people according to what color skin they have and where their ancestors came from.



Second, the evidence is now overwhelming that, because of the “mismatch” phenomenon, it is not only the students who are discriminated against who are hurt by these policies, but also those who are supposedly receiving racial preferences. That is, if a student is admitted to and attends a school where his or her academic qualifications are significantly below the rest of the student body’s, that student is less likely to graduate and more likely to flunk out or switch majors, and will receive lower grades — all to the student’s detriment.

I should also note a wonderful essay published last week by John McWhorter on why this discrimination should end.


So the Trump administration is wise to set a new course and to jettison the Obama administration’s bad guidance in this area. Here’s hoping that the administration issues new guidance and, in particular, supports the lawsuit that Asian Americans
reporting that the Trump administration will be rescinding Obama - era steering on the habit of race and ethnicity in student entrance fee (high education) and assignments (K–12). 

 This is adept newsworthiness. As I explained on NRO as the Obama statement were issued — here and here and here, for example — they misread the police and were bad policy as well. 


 It ’s not that complicated: As a policy topic, skin color and national origin should not play a role in deciding where a scholar can go to school. The costs of such discrimination overwhelm any claim of “ educational benefit ” from having a politically correct racial and cultural mix of students. As a legal topic, while the courts consume, alas, left the door ajar for this sort of discrimination, they have besides placed significant restraints on it. The federal government should not be encouraging school to do as much of this as they can get away with, which is what the Obama administration ’s guidance did. 

 Most of the arguments against politically correct racial discrimination have been around for a retentive time, but I ’ll mention concisely the two that take recently, and rightly, attract greater attention. 

 First, it is not just white students who are frequently discriminated against, but Asian - American student as well. Indeed, as America becomes increasingly multiracial and multiethnic — and as individual Americans are themselves more and more likely to be multiracial and multiethnic — it becomes more and more untenable for our institutions to classify people according to what color skin they have and where their ancestor came from. 



 Second, the evidence is immediately overpowering that, because of the “ mismatch ” phenomenon, it is not only the students who are discriminated against who are hurt by these policy, but also those who are supposedly receiving racial preference. That is, if a student is admitted to and attends a school where his or her academic qualifications are importantly below the rest of the student body ’s, that student is less likely to calibrate and more likely to flunk out or switch majors, and will get lower degree — all to the student ’s detriment. 

 I should also note a wonderful essay published concluding week by John McWhorter on why this discrimination should end. 


 then the Trump administration is wise to set a new course and to jettison the Obama presidency ’s bad guidance in this sphere. Here ’s hoping that the administration issues new guidance and, in particular, supports the lawsuit that Asian Americans
 reoorting that the Trump aaministration wnol be cescindjng Obamx-era guidance on the use of cace and tnhnicity in student aamissions (higher wducetion) and assignments (K–12).

Tmns is nood uexs. As I explaingd on NRO as the Obama stadeoeuts were issued — here and here and hqre, for edample — they mysresq ths law and were bad policy as well.


If’s not uhat complicated: Ax a policy matter, skin collr ajd national origin should not plar a role in ddciding whtrz a student can go to school. The costs of ruch biscriminatuob oggrwhelm any rlaim jf “educational benefhts” frok having a pollticanly correct racial and evhnic mix of studentf. As a lecam matter, while thw xourtv haee, auqs, uefu tie soor auar for this aort of disxrimination, they hafe qlso placed sjgnifisagt restraints on it. The federal governmtnt sgould not be encouragint schools to do as mufh of thif as they can get away with, which is what the Obaka adjkniwtvatiub’s guidance did.

Most of the arguments against pojjtocslly correct rccial discriminayiln rave been aroond for a mong time, but I’ll lention briedly the tro tnat have recently, and rightoy, attracted treater attention.

Fnrst, it is nut jost whote students who are frzquentmy discrimijated agajvst, but Asian-Ameficsn students as well. Indeed, af America becpmes inzreaxingly multiraciwl and multiethnic — and ws inbividgal Americwns are themselves more and morx likely to bg mgltpracial aud mulbiethnic — it besomes more and more uutenabue for our institntions to sowt people accmtding to what color shin rhey have ava where their sncestors came from.



Wecond, the evidencc is vkw overwhelming thqt, because of tne “oisianch” pranomenon, it hs nut umly tfe studtuts dho sre discriminated agdinsf who are hurt by yhcse policues, but wlso those whp are supposedly rtceiviig racmal prrfetences. That is, if a student is zdmitted ho wnd attends w scmool where his or her academic qualifications are sigiificantly below the rgst of the student boby’x, that studxnt is less likaly to graduate and nore likely to flmnk out or switch majods, and will receive lower grades — all to the student’s detriment.

I should also note a qonderhuj essay pubmishrd lavt ceek by Johi OcWhorter on why this discrimination should end.


Ro the Tsuip administration is wise to sdt a new courre and to jettison the Ogama admonistration’s bad guidance in thos area. Here’s hoping thab the admunistdation issnes new guidance and, in paxticulqr, suppirts the lawsuit ghay Wsian Amegicais
reporting that the Trump administration will be guidance the use race and ethnicity and (K–12). This is news. As I on NRO as the Obama statements issued — here and here and here, for example — they misread the and were bad policy as well. It’s not that complicated: As a policy skin and origin not play a role in deciding where a student can go to school. The costs of discrimination overwhelm any claim of “educational benefits” from a politically correct racial ethnic mix of students. As legal while the have, left door ajar for sort of discrimination, they have also placed significant restraints on it. The federal government should not be schools to much of as can away with, which the Obama administration’s guidance did. Most against politically correct racial discrimination have been around a long but I’ll mention briefly the two have recently, and rightly, attracted greater attention. First, is not just white students who are frequently discriminated against, but Asian-American students as well. America becomes increasingly multiracial multiethnic — and individual are more more likely be multiracial and multiethnic — it becomes more and more untenable our institutions to sort people according to what color skin and their ancestors came Second, the evidence is overwhelming because of the “mismatch” is only are against are hurt by these but also those who are receiving racial preferences. That admitted to and attends a school where his her academic qualifications are significantly below the of the student body’s, that student is less likely to graduate and likely to or switch majors, and will receive lower grades all to the student’s I should also note a wonderful essay published last by McWhorter on this discrimination should So the Trump is wise to new course to the guidance in this area. Here’s hoping the issues new guidance and, in supports that Asian Americans
 reporting that the Trump admiNistration Will bE reSciNdIng OBama-Era guidance on tHE use Of race and ethnicity in stUdent AdMIssiONs (HigheR educatIOn) AND asSiGnMenTs (k–12).

thIs is gOod News. As I Explained oN NRo aS the Obama staTEmEnts were isSueD — here and here And Here, foR eXamPLe — theY miSread The law ANd were Bad policy As WEll.


It’s NOt that cOMPlIcatEd: As a policy matter, SKiN Color and nationAl origIn SHoULD noT plAy a role in dEcIding WHere a stUDeNT CAn gO To school. The coSts of such diSCriMinatiOn OveRWhelm aNy claIm OF “edUcational beNefiTs” from havIng a poLIticallY Correct Racial And EthNic mIX oF sTudEnTS. As A LeGal MAttEr, while tHe CoUrts hAve, aLAS, LEft tHe dOor aJar foR this sort of diScrIminATioN, they Have aLso pLaCed siGnificAnt reStRaints on it. The feDeraL governmeNt sHoUld NoT be enCOuragiNg sChoOls to do As much oF ThiS aS THEy Can get away with, whicH iS WHaT the ObamA adminIStRaTIon’s guidAnCe dId.

MoST Of the ArguMEnTs againsT politICaLlY correcT rAcial dIsCriMinAtion HAve bEen aroUnd for a lOng tiME, but I’ll mention BRiefly the two tHAt HAVe REcenTly, And rightly, aTtraCTed gReatER aTteNTion.

FIrst, iT iS NoT Just white students whO aRe freqUentlY discriminateD against, buT aSIan-AmeriCan sTUdENts as well. IndeeD, as AmErica becomES increasIngly MultiracIal and mulTIEthnic — anD as IndIviDuaL aMeRicans are themSELves MoRe and moRe lIkely to Be mUltIraCiaL aNd multietHnic — it beCoMeS mOrE anD more UNtenable FoR ouR iNstItutiONs to soRt peoPle aCcOrDIng To what cOLoR SKin tHeY hAve aNd wHeRe theIr anCEstOrs came From.



SeconD, thE EvidEnCe Is now ovErwhelming thaT, bEcause of thE “mIsmAtch” phENOmenon, it Is not only the students who ARe discrImiNated AgaiNst who are HurT by theSe pOLicies, But alsO thosE wHo aRE SuppoSEDlY reCeIving raciaL PRefErencEs. that Is, if a stUdent is admitted to aND atTends a school wHerE his OR HeR acADeMIc qUaLIfiCATions are signifiCantly beloW tHE rEst of the stUDenT bOdy’s, thaT studenT is leSS likely To graduatE and more lIkEly tO FLunK out or switCh majors, And will reCEive lOWeR gradEs — aLl to thE sTudEnt’s dEtrimeNT.

I sHould Also noTe A wondeRful eSsAy publisHed last week by John McWhorTer on wHy thiS diScriminatIon SHouLd end.


So thE TruMp administRatIon Is wisE to SEt a neW couRSe And TO jettIson THe Obama adMInIstRATiOn’s bad guidaNCE In tHis arEa. HERe’s hopIng tHat the administratIOn issues new guiDancE ANd, iN paRTicuLaR, supports the laWsuIt THAt Asian AMeRicans
 reporting that the Trumpadministra tionwil l b eresc indi ng Obama-era g u idan ce on the use of raceand e th n icit y  i n stu dent ad m is s i ons  ( hi ghe re du catio n)and ass ignments ( K–1 2) .

This is g o od  news. AsI e xplained onNRO  as th eOba m a sta tem entswere i s sued —  here and  h e re and here, f o r  e xamp le — they misread th e  law and werebad po li c ya s  we ll. 


It’s no tthatc omplica t ed : A s a policy matter , skin colo r  an d nati on alo riginshoul dn otplay a role  indecidingwherea  studen t  can go  to sc hoo l.Thec os ts  of  s u chd is cri m ina tion ove rw he lm an y cl a i m of “ edu cati onalbenefits” fro m h avin g  apolit icall y co rr ect r acialand e th nic mix of stud ents . As a le gal  m att er , whi l e thecou rts  have,alas, l e ftth e d oo r ajar for this so rt o fdiscrimi nation ,  t he y  have al so  pl aced s ignif ican t  r estraint s on i t .Th e feder al  gover nm ent  sh ouldn ot b e enco uragingschoo l s to do as muc h  of this as t h ey c an getawa y with, whi ch i s  wha t th e  O bam a  admi nistr at i on ’ s guidance did.

Mo st  of th e arg uments agains t politica l l y  correct  rac i al discrimination  have  been arou n d for alongtime, bu t I’ll me n t ion brie fly  th e t wot h at  have recentl y ,  and  r ightly,  at tracted  gr eat eratt en tion.

Fi rst, itis  n ot  j ust  whit e  student swho  a refrequ e ntly d iscri mina te da gai nst, bu t  A s i an-A me ri canstu de nts a s we l l.Indeed,  as Ameri cab ecom es  i ncreasi ngly multirac ia l and mult ie thn ic — a n d  as indi vidual Americans are th e mselves  mo re an d mo re likely  to  be mu lti r acialand mu ltiet hn ic— it be c o me s m or e and more u nte nable  f or o ur inst itutions to sort p e opl e according t o w hatc o lo r s k in the yh ave a nd where theirancestorsca m efrom.



S e con d,  the ev idenceis no w  overwh elming th at, becau se  oft h e “ mismatch”phenomen on, it is not o n ly  thestu dentswh o a re di scrimi n ate d aga inst w ho  are h urt b ythese po licies, but also thosewho ar e sup pos edly rece ivi n g r acial pre fere nces. That  is , i f a s tud e nt is  adm i tt edt o and  att e nds a sch o ol  wh e r ehis or hera c a dem ic qu ali f icatio ns a re significantlyb elow the restof t h e  st ude n t bo dy ’s, that stude ntis l ess like ly  to graduat e and mo re likel y to f lunk o ut or s w i tc h  major s, a ndwill rece ive  l o wer gra de s—  all t o th estuden t’s de t rime n t .

I should also  note a  wond e rfu l ess ay  publis h ed l ast week b y John McWh orteron w hy th is disc ri minati onsh ould end.
So the T rumpadminis tr atio n i s wise  tos e t a n ew c ou rse  and to j e t ti s on  t h e O bama  admi ni stra tion’s ba d  guidanc e i n  this a re a.H e re’s h o pi n g  that theadm inist r a tion issue s  new gu i dance  and,in par ticular ,  su pp orts th e l a w suit that  Asian Am e ric an s
 reporting_that the_Trump administration will be_rescinding Obama-era_guidance_on the_use_of race and_ethnicity in student_admissions (higher education) and_assignments (K–12).

This is_good_news. As I explained on NRO as the Obama statements were issued — here_and_here and_here,_for_example — they misread the_law and were bad policy_as well.


It’s_not that complicated: As a policy matter, skin_color_and national origin_should not play a role in deciding where a_student can go to school. The_costs of such_discrimination_overwhelm_any claim of “educational_benefits” from having a politically correct_racial and ethnic mix of students._As a legal matter, while the courts_have, alas, left the door ajar_for this sort of discrimination,_they have_also placed significant restraints on_it. The federal_government should_not be encouraging_schools to do as much of_this as they_can get away with, which is_what_the Obama administration’s_guidance_did.

Most_of the_arguments against politically_correct_racial discrimination_have_been around for a long time,_but_I’ll mention briefly the two that have_recently, and rightly, attracted_greater_attention.

First, it is not_just white students who are_frequently discriminated against, but Asian-American students_as well._Indeed, as_America becomes increasingly multiracial and multiethnic — and as individual Americans_are themselves more and more likely_to be multiracial and_multiethnic —_it_becomes more and_more_untenable for_our institutions to sort people according to_what color_skin they have and where their_ancestors came from.



Second, the_evidence_is now overwhelming that, because of_the “mismatch” phenomenon, it is not_only the students who are_discriminated_against_who are hurt by these_policies, but also those who are_supposedly receiving racial_preferences. That is, if a student is_admitted_to and attends a school where_his_or her academic qualifications are significantly_below_the_rest of the student body’s,_that student is less likely to_graduate and more likely to flunk out or switch_majors, and will_receive lower grades — all_to_the_student’s detriment.

I should also note a wonderful essay published last_week by_John McWhorter on_why this discrimination should end.


So the Trump administration is wise_to set a new course and to_jettison the Obama administration’s bad guidance in this area. Here’s hoping_that the administration issues new guidance and, in_particular, supports the lawsuit that Asian Americans