I would merely suggest that affirmative action be used to benefit the needy. Students from disadvantaged schools can excel if we provide the appropriate opportunities. Instead of blaming the families for failure, as is common in education, we need to focus on ensuring that the education system offers solutions.

That means breaking apart those conditions that con many young minorities into feeling trapped, despondent and without hope.

Create an affirmative action plan that addresses the needs of minorities while they are still young, and it may just achieve - gasp - equality.