Journal of Economic Literature
Book Reviews
2026-09-01
Marvin Krislov of Oberlin College reviews “Color and Money: How Rich White Kids Are Winning the War over College Affirmative Action” by Peter Schmidt,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Examines whether colleges misuse affirmative action to benefit wealthy white students and analyzes the ensuing racial tension that exists on college campuses. Discusses how money rises above merit; how the rich deny education to the poor; the origins of college affirmative action; profiting from preferences; the volatile mix on campus; affirmative action under attack; black voices fighting to be heard; the uprising of the excluded; fuzzy research to the rescue; the changing legal landscape; President Bush’s American dilemma; the establishment’s voice; the Supreme Court’s affirmation of affirmative action; and democracy’s intervention in the struggle. Schmidt is Deputy Editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education. Index.”