Affirmative Action 'Saved My Life' (And I'm White)

As an 18-year-old white kid growing up in upper-middle class suburbia—where high-school juniors had nicer cars than their teachers and homeowners vied for "best landscaping"—my concept of affirmative action was as misguided as those seeking to destroy it. When I got deferred early decision from Cornell, I was the first to blame "racial preferences" for derailing my collegiate career. Four years later, I delivered the Rutgers College commencement speech before 11,000 people—and for all intents and purposes, I thanked affirmative action for saving my life. . . . (To continue reading articles or access digital editions of DiversityInc magazine, please login below.)