Students for Fair Admissions is once again challenging race-based admissions practices, this time by suing the U.S. Naval Academy. While some view the activist group as an obstacle to progress, the uncomfortable truth is that it raises valid concerns. We’re attempting to address admissions disparities using race as a tool, even though it’s no longer the primary predictor of achievement or social mobility.

The affirmative action debate often centers on race thereby preventing us from exploring effective solutions. You’re either for race-based admissions — and seen as an ally of progress — or against them — and labeled as a racist. I support helping the disadvantaged, but I disagree with using immutable traits we can’t control. When watching a sports game, we seek the best player, not the best player of a specific race. Similarly, in weightlifting competitions, we want the person who can lift the most weight, not the individual of a particular race who can do it. The proactive approach is to focus on what works for disadvantaged African Americans. (READ MORE: Free Speech? Not on College Campuses.)

The key to addressing admissions disparities is tackling the predictors of success: geographic location, family stability, income, and educational access. Recruiters should extend their reach to lower-income neighborhoods, where residents may be unaware of opportunities but are more than qualified for the admissions process.

Family structure is another significant predictor of success, as lower-income families or single-parent households often lack the resources to prepare their children for challenging admission requirements. Hiring managers should put more effort into finding qualified applicants in disadvantaged areas.

Furthermore, income disparities, regardless of race, limit everyone’s advancement opportunities. Poverty affects individuals of all races, restricting access to opportunities and essential information. It’s crucial to ensure equal access to opportunities and raise awareness about their existence. (READ MORE: Year Zero in the Stacks: Libraries, Public Schools, and Successor Ideology)

My personal experience attests to this reality. I’m the son of a bus driver and a government clerical worker. They invested in my education, sending me to a Seventh-day Adventist elementary school and a Catholic high school because they valued a high-quality education as the path to success. Now as an adult, I’m in a stable 10-year marriage, own a home in a nice working-class neighborhood, and all of my kids are on track to go to college. For me, race was not a major factor; socioeconomic status played a more significant role.

We must acknowledge that race-based admissions do not address the root causes of African-American disadvantage. While they may allow a few individuals in, the broader issues persist. The alternative solution of recruitment based on disadvantages will likely yield better results. Hopefully, we can strive for a society that judges individuals based on their character, not the color of their skin.