I do think that economics and class do have a great part to play in this situation. Getting the foot on that first rung can be hard for the child of parents who do not have money or connections.

I also agree that race is not always totally relevant to the issue - it's more whether the culture a child is raised in has that expectation of their children and is prepared and able to do what it takes to get that education. I'm aware of a number of kids from 'white' backgrounds who, although capable, did not get the encouragement to try for further education and, in one case, was actually discouraged from going.

Affirmative action IMHO should be looking at the socio-economic background and the educative disadvantages of college applicants regardless of race or colour.

I think that more needs to be done in schools, and the earlier the better, to encourage students to think of further education as a right, not a privilege, in order to crack the cultural barrier that seems to exist.