Ending Racism in United States by Teaching Modern History

Thank you for printing “To End Racism, Teach Modern History” (Editorial Page, Dec. 3), by David Evans, a senior admissions officer at Harvard University.

I agree with his proposal to divide American history into two courses. However, he states that hostility between black and white students “results from widespread racial isolation before college and inadequate U.S. history courses in high school.” Although what I learned in my American history class about the civil rights movement, the struggle for equality among minorities, and race relations throughout U.S. history has taught me to accept and appreciate the diversity of the American people, I find it hard to believe that increased study of the post-World War II years will alleviate racial tensions.

Applying to and getting into a “good college” these days is an extremely difficult task. It is no wonder then that those students who were not admitted with higher grade-point averages, SAT scores, and more extracurricular activities feel resentment toward those students that were admitted with less qualifications but were under-represented minorities.

I am for affirmative action, and I applaud Evans’ attitude toward blacks, but I am disturbed by his omission of the resentment harbored against Asian students. Asians comprise 12.8% of Harvard’s current freshman class; blacks, 11.2%. In an article printed three days before Evans’ (“Aide Sees Hints of Colleges Asian Bias,” Part I), it was revealed that Harvard’s admission rates for students of Asian ancestry is four percentage points lower than the admission rate for whites. This fact suggests that Harvard discriminates against Asian students while supporting affirmative action for other minorities. In addition, Harvard is under investigation by the Education Department for allegedly discriminating against Asian applicants.

I do not know if the accusations are true, but I do know that Asians feel that their race is a disadvantage in the college admission process. It would be easy to say, “I would be better off any way in an institution that is colorblind in its admissions procedure,” but it is hard not to want to attend the school with the best reputation in the field of one’s major.

By the way, I am an Asian-American student applying to Harvard and planning to major in American History.

MARGARET KUO

San Clemente