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Think of a college. It is the largest, most popular college in the state. A lot of students try to get in every year, and they end up turning many away. To help deal with the crushing load of student applications they have set up a point-based system to find the most desirable students.

So far so good? Okay, let's see how the point system works. If you are a great student you get a lot of points. If you are a good student you get a few points. All other academic levels receive no points. If you are an athlete you get points. If you are from the state you get points. If you have ancestors who attended the college you get points. High scores on entrance exams get points. High scores on entry essays get points.

Still okay?

If you are of a desired race you get points.

How about now?

What if the college is the University of Mississippi and the "desired race" is white?

How about now?

What if the college is the University of Alabama and the "desired race" is white?

How about now?

What if the college is the University of Arkansas and the "desired race" is white?

How about now?

What if the college is the University of Michigan and the "desired race" is black?

Ah, is that different?

I'm amazed that people who are outraged at the first three scenarios are just fine with the last one. Either discriminating on race is illegal or it is not. Either it is okay to prefer one race over another or it is not.

Why is that concept so hard for liberals to grasp?

You can achieve a goal of greater participation by certain cultural subgroups without resorting to illegal preferences. First of all, start with recruiting. Are you sending well-managed recruiting teams to high schools throughout the state? Do you have famous graduates helping in the recruiting process? What about advertising your breadth of programs and opportunities? Testimonials from current and past students? All of those can increase participation.

And if you truly believe that certain cultural subgroups are 'disadvantaged' in the K-12 system, then help fix the K-12 system instead of perpetuating an illegal system because you think the ends justify the means.

What if the college is the University of Mississippi and the "desired race" is white?

What if the college is the University of Michigan and the "desired race" is black?

Either it is okay to prefer one race over another or it is not.

You can achieve a goal of greater participation by certain cultural subgroups without resorting to illegal preferences.