In an unequal society, families of color aspire to college but often find their children in schools that fail to prepare them, while the higher education system favors the privileged. Racial inequality disadvantages young people from early childhood, making college a dead end for many. The argument is made that colorblind policies have rendered college inaccessible for a significant number of students of color. Policies acknowledging racial inequalities and setting equality goals can succeed where colorblindness has failed. The author presents a troubling view of American higher education, highlighting profound racial gaps at every stage of children's lives, which threaten communities of color and the nation. The 1960s and early 1970s were marked by efforts toward racial equity in higher education, but the Reagan era introduced colorblind policies that ignore racial inequalities. This misguided approach has resegregated public schools, worsened college preparation disparities, denied financial aid, and led to significant tuition increases with minimal income gains for most Americans. Utilizing new data and featuring insights from experts, this urgent work illustrates how colorblind policies perpetuate segregation and proposes actionable solutions to make higher education accessible to all.
