Those Who Got in the Door: The University of California-Berkeley's Affirmative Action Success Story

Presumptions of a level playing field in higher education suggest that affirmative action is passe, yet students of color continue to face situations with which other students do not have to contend. Though many persist and excel in college and become successful contributors to society, affirmative action's dismantlement makes these feats more daunting. This article examines data from UC-Berkeley alumni of color who considered themselves "affirmative action students." It discusses themes generated from interviews focusing on their academic experiences, factors that contributed to or impeded their success, and their perceptions of affirmative action's impact. The consensus: affirmative action works, while its eradication depletes the ethnic richness and "voice" of campus communities, their knowledge bases, and their sense of reality.