Good Breaking News

Good News but the battle is NOT won yet

WeChat account ID is: 8020ef.  Please scan our QR code,  shown below, & on 80-20 EF's WeChat site. For a Chinese  version of this e-newsletter, click  https://goo.gl/6GsJWe . Dear Fellow Asian Americans: (1) Good News 1     This NY Times article came out a few days ago.  The first 2 paragraphs read:     "A group that is suing Harvard University is demanding that it publicly  release admissions data on hundreds of thousands of applicants, saying  the records show a pattern of discrimination against Asian-Americans  going back decades."     "The group was able to view the documents through its lawsuit, which  was filed in 2014 and challenges Harvard's admissions policies. The  plaintiffs said in a letter to the court last week that the documents were so  compelling that there was no need for a trial, and that they would ask the  judge to rule summarily in their favor based on the documents alone."      Note: Asking the judge "to rule summarily" is normally an expression of confidence by the asking side. In addition, a few paragraphs later NY Times described Ed Blum, who heads this effort, as follows.                                    "The leader of Students for Fair Admissions and the architect of the case  against Harvard is Edward Blum, a longtime crusader against affirmative  action, who has recruited plaintiffs, hired sympathetic lawyers and raised  millions of dollars from conservative groups to challenge voting rights laws and affirmative action policies, often successfully.     When will we know the judge's decision?  April 10 or later.  Keep our  fingers crossed.   If a decision is made to release the admissions data, it shall be a giant step  towards securing equal opportunity for all AsAm children. Even the U.S. Department of Justice has filed an Amicus brief yesterday (4-06-18) in support of Blum's law suit.   Click here to read a report by Harvard's Crimson yesterday evening: "DOJ Calls for Unsealing of Harvard Admissions Data." Read good news (2) from the NYT today: "U.S. Says It Might Enter Harvard Affirmative Action Court Battle".     Will the court decision be final?  Don't know.  Many conjecture that  this case will likely go all the way to the Supreme Court again.   We should be thankful to Mr. Blum who raised millions to finance this lawsuit.  80-20 contributed $25,000 to this good cause over the last 3 years - a pittance.  However, if just the release of the admissions data were to be final, it will be earth-shattering.      I have often asked, "Where are our rich AsAms in this fight for JUSTICE for our children?"  All of you will PLEASE also ask that question every chance you  get!!!    Seek, and we shall find! (2) Good News 3    "Affirmative Action Battle Has a New Focus: Asian Americans"  was a NY Times front page article that came out a few months ago.  Have you ever  thought about how the "college admissions" issue, which had always been a black versus white issue, had been turned to focus on the truly deserving minority - Asian Americans????   It was a combination of , (a) EF's tireless & meticulous presentation to Ed Blum and his lawyers that      AsAm students were the true victims of Harvard's admissions policy, and (b) Ed and his lawyers' great willingness to listen, which did it.     Things are looking better.  Whether it is in the courts or in the "court of the public opinion."  However, the battle for our children's equal opportunity to attend elite colleges is NOT won yet.   Let's pledge our mutual honor to continue to do our best.                                                     DONATE S. B. Woo  President and a volunteer for the past 20 years 80-20 Educational Foundation, Inc, a 501 C-3 organization, http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/                                     In Memory of Anna Chennault      Anna Chennault was a co-founders of 80-20 Initiative, together with Chancellor  Chang-ling Tien, Professor Larry Ho, and Governor S. B. Woo.  She passed away a few days ago at the age of 94.  We want to express our appreciation for her lending her name to the cause.   To know more about 80-20, view these videos : https://youtu.be/dB3eGVqG-wAà (Ignore the last 35 secs. The election is over.)  http://youtu.be/h781_ECSJYM  80-20 EF Mission Statement