How Does It Feel To Be Less Equal?

They try making it sound positive: "affirmative action", "employment equity", "corrective" or even "positive discrimination" as if a discrimination could actually correct the injustice, let alone being "positive". Those who support it could hardly explain us its purpose. Some claim it ensures equality and protects people from being denied jobs or benefits just because of their origin. Others go a little further, suggesting that ethno-cultural minorities could be given preferential treatment if both candidates are equally good and a decision can't be made based on skills and merit alone.

None of that is true. Here's a glimpse on how the hiring process is actually done:

Only by claiming that he is a homosexual could McNamee have made this decision difficult for the DePaolo administration. But, unfortunately for him, he is straight. On second thought, he could have qualified for the job by a) getting a sex change and, b) continuing to be “oriented” towards women. This would even the score to Mehrtens two (black and female), McNamee two (female and homosexual). The tie would have then been broken by relevant considerations. In such a scenario, McNamee would win.

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Even though merit and skills are still referred to as relevant considerations, they are by no means relevant when it comes to hiring. The primary factors are so called "sociological considerations" - gender, origin, lifestyle choice. And, unless both candidates appear to be "equally disadvantaged", merit and skills are not even considered. But guess what - the situation is not quite as bleak as one may think. Really!

As the letter states, white males are not excluded from hiring process unless an outgoing executive is a straight white male. So, when pigs fly and lobsters whistle, University of North Carolina will be ready to give straight white males a chance. The Public Service Commission of Canada promises none of that:

Who Can Apply:
• Open to: Members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, visible minorities, persons with disabilities
• Persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad

You must meet both of the above mentioned criteria.

(Source 1) (Source 2)

Looks like the PWGSC moratorium on hiring white males (which was supposed to end on March 31, 2006) has been extended indefinitely. By the way, white females better don't think they're on easy street because they are next!

But there's still hope, isn't it? There are always opportunities in the corporate world. While businesses too have to hire token minority executives, they also have to get the job done. If you agree to mask your superior's incompetence, they'll allow you to become his assistant and do all the work at half the salary.

Well, if we keep electing politicians who believe that discrimination against us is "positive" - do we deserve anything better?