There are way too many rumors, and “I heard from that guy” stuff about affirmative action, and if someone who has actual knowledge of this could explain it, that would be awesome. I am not looking for bitter responses, or opinions how it’s unfair. I am also not looking for an argument about whether desis are White, Asian or other. Whatever you mark, that is great. I personally mark Asian.
Re: US Guppies: Any manager types on GS want to explain affirmative action to us?
There are way too many rumors, and "I heard from that guy" stuff about affirmative action, and if someone who has actual knowledge of this could explain it, that would be awesome. I am not looking for bitter responses, or opinions how it's unfair. I am also not looking for an argument about whether desis are White, Asian or other. Whatever you mark, that is great. I personally mark Asian.
I am not a manager type but I will give a broad outline: Basically Affirmative Action was enacted in the 1970s by President Richard Nixon as program to rectify the historical discrimination against ethnic minorities and women. While many people think of AA as simply a preference program, it is much more complicated than that. A hiring manager/admissions officer has to make competence and potentiality assessments prior to consideration an AA candidate.
Pakistanis are considered Asian in the US despite the self delusions of some of our fellow country. Incidentally, there has been a greater shift towards 'underrepresented' minority preferences that usually exclude Asians (even if they are minorities) from being covered under AA. In most lucrative fields/best Universities Asians tend to be overrepresented, so they do not fall under the AA guidelines.
Hope it helps!