To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Jon Bogard's '09 column ("Asians are not discriminated against," Feb. 22). I applaud Bogard for pointing out that a study that considers only race and SAT scores is woefully incomplete.
However, I have to point out a significant error in Bogard's reasoning. He writes, "To affirmatively value one quality is not to discriminate against those who do not have that quality." However, as any economist will tell you, this is not the case if one is allocating a limited resource, such as Brown University acceptance letters. The admissions process is a zero-sum game, and consequently a preference for those in a particular group is logically equivalent to discrimination against those not in the group.
Casey Marks '01.5 GSFeb. 22
