Xi Van Fleet, who lived through Mao Zedong's communist revolution in China, has spoken out against affirmative action in the United States, drawing parallels to class-based policies implemented during Mao's rule. In a recent interview, she expressed concern that many Americans are unaware of these historical similarities.
Speaking with Fox News, Van Fleet described how during China's Cultural Revolution, college entrance exams were abandoned, and admission was granted solely based on a student's proletarian or "red class" background and a recommendation from a party leader. She warned that this "grand experiment" ultimately failed, with diplomas later deemed invalid after Mao's death.
Van Fleet emphasized that affirmative action, rooted in the Marxist concept of equity, contradicts the American founding principle of equal opportunity and meritocracy. She celebrated the Supreme Court's recent decision against affirmative action, viewing it as a victory not only for Asian Americans, who she believes are the primary victims of these policies, but for all Americans and the preservation of the American dream based on hard work and merit, regardless of background.
The Supreme Court's ruling stemmed from cases alleging discriminatory practices against high-achieving Asian-American students who faced challenges gaining admission to elite universities due to racial quotas. Students for Fair Admissions, the plaintiff in cases against Harvard and UNC, argued that Harvard's race-based admissions violated the Civil Rights Act, while UNC's case focused on the university's reluctance to adopt race-neutral alternatives.
Van Fleet's perspective resonates with the experiences of students like Jon Wang, who was rejected from six top-tier colleges despite a near-perfect SAT score. Wang, aware of the challenges faced by Asian-American applicants, remains committed to advocating for future generations.
