The Affirmative Action Myth

Why Blacks Don't Need Racial Preferences to Succeed

By: Jason L Riley

Narrated by: James Shippy

From Wall Street Journal columnist and Manhattan Institute senior fellow Jason L. Riley, a contrarian argument that racial preferences have done more harm than good for black Americans

After the Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the use of race in college admissions was unconstitutional, many predicted that the black middle class was doomed. One byproduct of a half century of affirmative action is that it has given people the impression that blacks can’t advance without special treatment. In The Affirmative Action Myth, Jason L. Riley details the neglected history of black achievement without government intervention. Using empirical data, Riley shows how black families lifted themselves out of poverty prior to the racial preference policies of the 1960s and 1970s.

Black employment, incomes, homeownership, and educational attainment all were on the rise in the first two-thirds of the twentieth century and began to stagnate only after affirmative action became the law of the land, tainting black achievement with suspicions of unfair advantage. Countering thinkers who blame white supremacy and systemic racism for today’s racial gaps, Riley offers a more optimistic story of black success without racial favoritism.

Critic reviews

“From his position of earned eminence among commentators on today’s intersection of culture and politics, Jason L. Riley dissects the false promises and actual damages of race-based policies. His book validates Chief Justice John Roberts’s acerbic words: ‘It is a sordid business, this divvying us up by race.’”—George F. Will, syndicated columnist

“Riley’s The Affirmative Action Myth is a clear, concise, and humane account of the perverse consequences of race-conscious policies. He calmly and judiciously demolishes the many myths and distortions that sustain the affirmative action empire. He exposes the relentless pessimism behind racial preferences and points to a respectful, tried-and-true alternative. Proponents of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) have acted as if they occupied a moral high ground. Riley turns this around—he is the true ‘racial progressive’ we need.”—Christina Hoff Sommers, senior fellow emeritus, American Enterprise Institute

“The Affirmative Action Myth by Riley comes along at a critical time to make an important point. Black Americans don’t need racial preferences. We did pretty well before they existed. Meritocracy is the best way to build a successful nation, and Riley makes the case for it.”—Wilfred Reilly, author of Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me

Well-researched and reasoned arguments against AA, if a bit one-sided

I've just finished this book. It is an interesting exploration of the trajectories—based on measurable data—of the quality of life, and financial and educational attainment of Black Americans, both before and after affirmative action programs were introduced.

I was concerned that the title of the book might suggest a foregone conclusion—written by someone seeking facts to justify their beliefs. But it actually uses research from both sides of the argument, as well as from a neutral perspective.

Although it is very much a book designed to sell units rather than serve as a serious academic study, it still contains a lot of useful information. That said, it digresses too often into political talking points that don’t directly relate to the subject matter.

On the whole, it is a good read, and contains a lot of useful information.

The narration is especially good, because Riley is one of the few people who can actually pronounce Du Bois (not Dew Boys).

I liked the fact that it didn't put a "liberal" spin on Black history and culture.

The thoughtful and careful recitation of the law and social issues. More Black Americans should hear the arguments and ideas put forth in this book.

A different perspective from someone who has a connection to the story they are telling

One would hope the more Americans read and understand the message being sent in this incredible story

Statistically accurate information

I love the statistics going against all the none sense brought to the black community. Disguised as opportunity for equal outcomes. I have been talking to any black person that will listen to me explain how our people have been manipulated. With comfort and freebies may GOD bless you sir

Black Conservatives Will Rejoice

This work will be a welcome addition to the works of other respected Black conservatives who prefer the cultural explanations for continued racial inequality in this country. For those of us who take more a structural approach, there will be much blood pressure rising and gnashing of teeth. Still, Riley makes the thoughtful, well supported argument that there was enormous progress for Black Americans long before any Affirmative Action programs were put in place. But since such programs, Black progress has stalled or halted altogether. My response to this argument is this: To come from nothing to something represents huge change, so it should not have been surprising to see the great progress in educational attainment, income growth, accumulation of property, etc., of Black Americans from the end of slavery to the mid-twentieth century. This progress occurred in spite of racism and structural restrictions. But to attribute the stalling of this growth to the implementation of War on Poverty programs and Affirmative Action (rather than overall stagnation since 1970) is a stretch too far. First, the WOP programs included more than welfare payments and food stamps, but also Pell Grants and low interest student loans which no doubt significantly contributed to the growth in Black college graduation rates. Second, Riley assumes Affirmative Action was actually implemented in many instances when there's no evidence it really was. Further, AA was never defined as a program to help the most disadvantaged/unqualified, but to help the already qualified. Also, Riley (and others) have argued AA hurt Black students who got in to elite schools. Well, their pride might have been hurt but judging from the Black graduation rates at elite schools (which are higher than black graduation rates overall), they managed to get through.
Because knowledge is cumulative and contradictory, it seems we're moving toward a more nuanced understanding of the full story of Black progress in this country which will include the very real structural constraints which blocked this progress, and the equally real cultural strengths and weaknesses that either fueled or stalled Black progress over time. This book is a worthwhile contribution toward this greater understanding