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Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby, by Professor Stephen L. Carter of the Yale Law School, is a book divided against itself. Carter marshals a compelling set of arguments to show how the costs to blacks of affirmative action outweigh the benefits; yet ultimately he recommends the continuation of affirmative action in colleges and professional schools. This contradiction stands as a reminder of how deeply entrenched expectations of racial entitlement have become in our society. Despite the ambiguity, however, Reflections, which is written in an informal, conversational style, is an important contribution to a nascent debate within the black community. Carter has two aims: to persuade his fellow blacks that the era of affirmative action is ending and that they would be far wiser to encourage, rather than to fight, its demise; and to effect a truce in the bitter war of words being fought among blacks over preferences and other racial policies. His message is urgent: the hunt for traitors within and racists outside the black community is a misuse of energy that is leading to social stagnation. Rather than crafting elaborate arguments as to why meritocratic standards are racist, blacks should devote themselves to meeting and beating those standards, whatever their original intent.

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