Affirmative action reconsidered. (Opinion Pulse).(research on the impact of affirmative action)(Illustration)

What do Americans agree on in this highly contentious area? First, that it is important to have a racially diverse student body on college campuses. Second, that colleges and universities should not give preference in admission to blacks, Hispanics, Asians, athletes, musicians, or children of alumni.

 
Question: How important do you think ...? 
 
                                 White response    Black response 
 
 Very/somewhat important for     78%               89% 
a college to have a racially 
        diverse student body 
       Not too important/not     21                -9 
            at all important 
 
Note: Table made form bar graph. 
 
Source: CBS News/New York Times, January 2003. 
 
Question: On another topic ... Please tell me whether you think ... 
 
Colleges and universities should ... 
 
            Give preference              Give preference 
            in admissions      Should    in admissions      Should 
            to blacks          not       to Hispanics       not 
 
   White    22%                73%       22%                73% 
response 
Minority    38                 56        38                 59 
response 
 
            Give preference 
            in admissions      Should 
            to Asians          not 
 
   White    20%                75% 
response 
Minority    33                 60 
response 
 
Colleges and universities should ... 
 
            Give preference 
            to children        Should    Give preference    Should 
            of alumni          not       to athletes        not 
 
   White    17%                77%       20%                76% 
response 
Minority    26                 66        28                 66 
response 
 
            Give preference 
            to musicians         Should 
            and other artists    not 
 
   White    23%                  72% 
response 
Minority    33                   60 
response 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates for Newsweek, January 
2003. 

Americans tell pollsters that affirmative action programs were necessary when they were first used, and that they helped minorities. Today, however, most people object to public universities using race as one of the factors in admissions. Help in the admissions process for low-income people of all races has solid support, as does offering assistance--but not preferences--to minorities in getting jobs and promotions.

 
Question: When affirmative action programs were first adopted 
almost 30 years ago, do you think ...? 
 
   Affirmative action programs     86% 
were needed to help minorities 
       overcome discrimination 
            ...