Memphis9489
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,389
Yes, yes, yes! The Navy Times article shows that USNA PAO made the news release, same as last year. The fact that no one picked up on it and decided it was newsworthy is because it is indeed old news, just as JAM stated. Or are you adding manipulation of the news media to Adm Fowler's list of 'sins'?
You're limiting the diversity discussion to the Navy Times article. I'm talking about the more widespread general media on DAY ONE ... on I-Day.
Seriously, your explanation is that it is "old news"? Since when has the Navy, the Naval Academy in particular, when it achieves its goal, not trumpeted that fact - especially when it is a record-breaker? It's not as if this has been the goal for a very long time. The diversity push is actually a rather recent objective so it's hard to imagine that it has so rapidly become "old news." You think that is the explanation? Pfft!
FACT: The Class of 2013 was getting heralded from all corners as the most racially diverse class in Academy history from the very beginning. In fact, before I-Day, the rumor mill was already set into motion about the upcoming record-breaking diversity. News segments like the one below ruled the day. And this was before any Navy Times article ever came out or before there was any PAO release on the class profile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kivZ2vdxbCw
FACT: Nothing close to this happened for the Class of 2014 although, apparently, it is more racially diverse than the Class of 2013.
You don't find that the least bit curious?
The Academy has stated ad naseum that they targeted historically underrepresented congressional districts to obtain the diversity goals they were seeking. Do you feel that the federal law is incorrect in that all districts should be represneted if there are qualified candidates in those districts who wish to attend? Or are these districts somehow undeserving?
The Academy has also stated, ad naseum, that the Admiissions Board does not give preferential consideration to candidates based on their race. So, do you think a highly qualified, non-minority candidate from an "underrepresented congressional district" has the same chance of admission, based on merit, as a minority candidate from that same "underrepresented congressional district"?
My only problem with this new push for "diversity" is this:
1. Just say it! Stop pretending that it's a "geographic" effort when, in reality, it's a "racial" effort. I would have more respect for the Naval Academy if they just came right out and said, "Our goal it to achieve a minimum of 35% minorities for each incoming class. Appointments will be made with that objective in mind - no different than the percentage goal for the admission of women."
They seem proud of the diversity but are oddly unwilling to claim that they are achieving it by leaving more qualified candidates in the dust.
2. Do not insult our intelligence that concessions are not being made in order to get the "diversity" they are looking for from these "underrepresented congressional districts".
3. The profile release makes the following statistically misleading claims for the Class of 2013.
• Hispanics average top 5% scores for all college
bound Hispanic students.
•African Americans average top 6% for all college
bound African American students.
•Caucasians average top 11% for all college bound
Caucasian students.
bound Hispanic students.
•African Americans average top 6% for all college
bound African American students.
•Caucasians average top 11% for all college bound
Caucasian students.
Why not tell us where the Hispanic candidates rank amongst all college bound students, not "college bound Hispanic students"?
Why not tell us where the African American students rank amongst all college bound students, not "college bound African American students"?
I'll even levy the same criticism for their description of Caucasian students.
Why are they comparing them to themselves instead of the general college-bound population, irrespective of race?
That's the only way you can demonstrate that you are truly picking the best candidates in the nation.
I'm not against diversity. I think it's great. But don't insult our intelligence about HOW it is being achieved. If the Navy thinks that by setting this as their "#1 priority" it will end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq sooner - great!
Congratulations to the Class of 2014 for being the most diverse class in Naval Academy history. If ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, the local networks, the Baltimore Sun, the Washington Post, and The Capital (Annapolis) won't say it - then I'll say it.