Analyzing Jian Li’s Case 

Asian American student Jian Li filed a civil rights complaint in October 2006 against Princeton University, setting off a federal investigation of whether or not was Princeton discriminating against Asian Americans through affirmative action. Li graduatejian-lid in the top 1% of his class, completed 9 Advanced Placement courses by the time he graduated, and received a perfect SAT score.

He claimed the issue was his Chinese background. During Princeton’s application process, he listed his first language as Chinese, and his language spoken at home as Chinese, making his ethnicity clear to Princeton.

A journal by Adrian Liu from the Michigan Journal of Race & Law argues that Jian Li’s rejection is likely due to “negative action,” the unfavorable treatment of Asian Americans relative to White Americans.

He states affirmative action as not being discriminatory because it considers multiple factors to achieve a diverse student body, and does not sacrifice student merit but redefines merit in a way that can benefit all races.

While affirmative action is based on a holistic analysis, negative action is discriminatory and prevalent. Negative action can take place through admission limits or racial group comparisons and contributes to inequalities in admissions.

“While affirmative action is based on a holistic analysis, negative action is discriminatory and prevalent. in admissions, but preserve affirmative action for racial minorities. “

If we frame Li’s case as an example of negative action rather than affirmative action, we can more accurately analyze ongoing discrimination