Thread by @MiekeEoyang

.@nytdavidbrooks column in defense of Kyle Kashuv is a disengenuous defense of a kid who's immaturity (and instinct to racism) resulted in Harvard rescinding an offer of admission.

nytimes.com/2019/06/17/opi…

Brooks argues that Harvard admissions are a meritocracy where grades win out. But we know that's not true. There are sufficient numbers of students who have the grades, and scores to fill the class many times over. They bring other factors to bear, including personality.

As Brooks concedes, Harvard has the right to rescind offers for after-admittance activities. It has done so before. This is not viewpoint discrimination against conservatives. thecrimson.com/article/2017/6…

And, he argues that Harvard should exercise forgiveness to someone who falls below their personality standards because of how Brooks explains how moral character is formed. At the same time, he concedes that we have no idea whether Kashuv has learned anything from this.

Well, Kashuv isn't entitled to learn that lesson while at Harvard. There are plenty of other places where he can reflect on these consequences and decide whether he's learned a lesson in humility or, instead, blames a "liberal lynch mob" for having to go to his second choice.

Because the price of Kashuv's learning at Harvard is denial of another student that opportunity. And we know what kinds of students those are. All too often, those students are Asian Americans, who would otherwise qualify for admission at Harvard, but are dinged on "personality".

Conservatives are using this discrimination against Asian Americans to try to dismantle affirmative action everywhere.

pbs.org/newshour/educa…

And Trump's DOJ has taken up their cause.

talkingpointsmemo.com/news/justice-d…

But the Kashuv case, and @nytdavidbrooks' defense of him, exposes the lie at the center of conservatives' arguments on affirmative action at Harvard. They don't actually want or believe in the meritocracy. They want to make sure that conservatives have preferential treatment.

Don't tell me that you're standing for meritocracy and an America where everyone can thrive regardless of race, when you back this kid over the next kid on the waitlist, and Asian Americans with higher scores and grades are getting turned away.

So spare me your false sympathy and ersatz alliance with Asians. Because when push comes to shove, @nytdavidbrooks, you're standing with an unrepentant white racist in the way of Asian Americans who could easily fill the slot, improving diversity and America in the process.