2008 Woodie Awards
Minorities still confront bias in career searches
Issue date: 3/4/05 Section: Rocket Letters
To the Editor:
In his letter in the Feb. 18 edition of The Rocket, SRU student Fred Hunter raised the question "How can there ever be equality if there must be classification and forced diversity?" He asks "What's wrong with white men 'doing the hiring' or holding an administrative position?" He continues, "You claim the lack of diversity is due to white men making all of the decisions and that turns 'minorities' away from SRU." Since Mr. Hunter's position is one shared by others on campus, we feel compelled to respond.
Historically in higher education, especially at predominantly white institutions like Slippery Rock University, there has been little or no diversity. This may not seem like a major problem unless you happen to be a person of color or an ally for social justice and equality for all people. Diversity is good for all of us - not just people of color. Our students will enter a workforce that is increasingly global and diverse. It is a grave disservice if we fail to prepare them to work with people who are different from them. Students of color are more comfortable when they have role models who look like them. Faculty of color are more comfortable and productive when they have supportive administrators who understand their struggles.
There is certainly nothing inherently wrong with white men holding administrative positions, chairing search committees or selecting which of several qualified applicants will be hired. However, if only or mostly white men are in these positions it unfairly disadvantages people of color for several reasons. First, we human beings tend to like those who are like us. When we are in a position to decide whom to bring to campus, we tend to want people who make us comfortable, people who "fit in", and people with whom we share a lot in common. Until fairly recently, white men have reigned with unchallenged command in corporate America, education, government, the media...well, everywhere really...which explains why upper management in most places is still predominantly white and male.
In his letter in the Feb. 18 edition of The Rocket, SRU student Fred Hunter raised the question "How can there ever be equality if there must be classification and forced diversity?" He asks "What's wrong with white men 'doing the hiring' or holding an administrative position?" He continues, "You claim the lack of diversity is due to white men making all of the decisions and that turns 'minorities' away from SRU." Since Mr. Hunter's position is one shared by others on campus, we feel compelled to respond.
Historically in higher education, especially at predominantly white institutions like Slippery Rock University, there has been little or no diversity. This may not seem like a major problem unless you happen to be a person of color or an ally for social justice and equality for all people. Diversity is good for all of us - not just people of color. Our students will enter a workforce that is increasingly global and diverse. It is a grave disservice if we fail to prepare them to work with people who are different from them. Students of color are more comfortable when they have role models who look like them. Faculty of color are more comfortable and productive when they have supportive administrators who understand their struggles.
There is certainly nothing inherently wrong with white men holding administrative positions, chairing search committees or selecting which of several qualified applicants will be hired. However, if only or mostly white men are in these positions it unfairly disadvantages people of color for several reasons. First, we human beings tend to like those who are like us. When we are in a position to decide whom to bring to campus, we tend to want people who make us comfortable, people who "fit in", and people with whom we share a lot in common. Until fairly recently, white men have reigned with unchallenged command in corporate America, education, government, the media...well, everywhere really...which explains why upper management in most places is still predominantly white and male.
