Short interesting read that points out that affirmative action has been ineffective in creating equality for people of color, women, LGBT individuals, the disabled, and the elderly. Cashin points out many ways the system could be redesigned to ensure that people are receiving the right types of education for the 21st century workforce and that the right people are being placed in the right positions regardless of race, gender, gender preference, age, ability, or religion. ( )

Cashin makes a smart argument for re-vamping affirmative action in a way that would take into account a student's background as a whole instead of focusing on race, with particular attention to students' access to education, opportunities, and family income. This is something I'd absolutely recommend to any readers interested in socio-political concerns, education, or the state of the US. Certainly, parents of children who'll be going to college in the US should be aware of the issues discussed here and take a look at Cashin's work. On the whole, it's thought-provoking and carefully researched, and well worth the time for any reader who takes an interest. ( )

This is a wonderfully refreshing approach to the problem of inequality. The author does a great job identifying race as a secondary concern to the issue of education, and ultimately success in life. The opinion that the environment of the youth has more impact on the success rates of less 'affluent' children than does their skin color, truly speaks to the obvious selective process of emerging from a low-income environment and gaining access to first rate public schools and colleges. This is truly an eye opening book, that should be read and recommended to anyone considering a school for their child. ( )

I'm going to be honest. I didn't finish this book.Name calling is a great way to lose a good chunk of your audience and lessen just how far your message will get. I get the anger, but why throw those on your side under the bus? That being said, I feel I'm probably not the right audience for this book. I plan on finishing it eventually, but I'm in no rush. I will add to be review at that time. 08/25/15

[I won this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.] ( )

To say that this book is a must read for anyone concerned with the future of higher education and the role of diversity and equity in achieving any associated goals is an understatement. The key is not whether one agrees with Cashin or not but that she has taken many of the research results which are usually discussed in either a vacuum or applied to a narrow aspect of the higher education/affirmative action debates and brought them together in a coherent argument. Rather than pick apart results by ignoring (intentionally or through ignorance) the many facets of the big picture, Cashin allows the results to speak to other results and as she puts the pieces together they begin to form a much better picture than the one we currently have.

She does not simply discuss ideas as theory, though that is certainly included, as it should be, but she also illustrates successes and failures with real examples. Additionally, and in many ways most importantly, Cashin discusses examples of policy that utilize place rather than race in varying ways as productive first steps and as evidence that using this criteria will pass the visual diversity test while also reclaiming the posited goals of helping those from disadvantaged environments. These will include students of every race and ethnic background, thus minimizing the fear that only one race is being helped.

Clearly written and argued, this would be a great read for policymakers as well as administrators and parents with an interest in both their own child's education and the future of higher education and of the country itself.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via LibraryThing. ( )