Shot in the Dark

Affirmative Traction

Joe Doakes from Como Park emails:

I’m thinking of applying for this as a side gig.  It could be a useful addition to a retirement nest egg, sort of a part-time job in retirement that pays enough to matter.

“Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.”  That must mean me.  They already have a Liberal Black man, a Liberal woman, a Liberal Jew, a Liberal GLBT on faculty.   I should qualify as a Token Conservative White Man.  I’m a shoo-in.

That IS what they meant by “under-represented,” right?

Joe Doakes

It’s always worth a try.  If only for the blog fodder.

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Mitch Berg

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Comments

5 responses to “Affirmative Traction”

  1. bosshoss429 Avatar
    bosshoss429

    JD,

    What Mitch said.

    I might add that their reaction may be good humor for all of us.

    That would be great if they hired you though!

  2. Mammuthus Primigenius Avatar
    Mammuthus Primigenius

    In a sensible world, the phrase “Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply” would be taken to mean “Members of over-represented groups are discouraged from applying.” or “Member of under-represented groups are given preference.”
    Wording like this has been found legal in job postings because the EEOC convinced the courts that it was possible to discriminate in favor of members of certain groups without discriminating against members of other groups.
    Judges can be stupid, too.
    Worst yet, a government group, the “Equal Employment Opportunity Commission”, lobbies in favor of racial and gender discrimination in hiring.
    In practice, this discriminates against white males, but not equally against all white males. The white males on the margin bear the burden of this. A Harvard grad is not going to lose his job opportunity to a less qualified minority state college grad, but a more qualified white male state college graduate will lose his job opportunity to a less qualified minority state college graduate.

  3. MtkaMoose Avatar
    MtkaMoose

    The problem is noted also at National Review today.
    http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/446664/martin-center-article-law-school-faculties-need-viewpoint-diversity

    Respect for diversity works itself out best in a merit-based environment. See some of Thomas Sowell’s articles on black high school achievements in NYC in the early 20th Century for example.

    Current dropout rates for minorities in college are a direct result of admitting lower achieving minorities into schools that they would not otherwise qualify to enter. It’s sad that liberals set minorities up to fail and still feel good about doing it.

  4. Scott Hughes Avatar
    Scott Hughes

    JD, Wearing a dress and ladies make-up during the application/interview process may give you a leg up for the job. Another thing that may be helpful is if you claim minority ancestry. It worked for Elizabeth Warren.

  5. bikebubba Avatar
    bikebubba

    Maybe I’ll apply too. I’m sure electrical engineers are under-represented at Hamline’s law school!

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