Here at UC Berkeley, we have frequent, angry demonstrations against the Prop 209, which repealed affirmative action in CA. These protests are rich in ideological fervor but poor in pragmatism: they never proposes a revised system of affirmative action that the voters might accept.

As I see it, the old system was both dishonest and unfair. It was dishonest because no one denied admission to CA schools knew whether they were a victim of affirmative action or whether they simply weren't qualified. Usually people assumed the former, which caused more widespread resentment of affirmative action than necessary.

It was also unfair. If you buy the argument that all whites bear an equal responsibility for black suffering, then everyone should bear an equal part in making reparations. But this wasn't done: the most excellent applicants were never at risk. In my experience, these people comprise many of the most vocal non-minority advocates of affirmative action. They routinely dismiss the feelings of the borderline students who pay the actual price.

So I propose an honest and fair system: a lottery. Under the revised system every admitted student would have an equal chance at having their admission revoked, whereupon they receive a plaque which conveys our gratitude.