College Fix: In the fall semester of my junior year, I applied for a course at Cornell University that would teach me career-building skills that I could then apply on a trip to New York City. Once there, students are connected with alumni in the top of their fields.
As a student journalist who understood that making connections in the media industry is crucial for young reporters, I eagerly enrolled. I knew such a course would put me on the right track.
I was rejected, but I took the denial in stride. I understood the chances of getting accepted were low, as admittance to the class is highly competitive.
Still, I asked the professor for feedback so I could improve myself as a candidate for future opportunities. It was then that I learned the real reason I was denied.
“Every submission, including yours, was very strong. It ultimately came down,-and I suppose this might be a good lesson in job placement-to finding an equitable demographic balance. By demographic I mean gender, need, etc.”
In an appeasing tone, he added I needn’t worry, that I had a strong resume and he was sure I’d land a great media job, but I could apply next year with priority if I was still interested.
Reading this response sent a shockwave of indignance through me. There’s nothing that can quite prepare you for learning that you’ve been judged not by the qualifications of your resume, but the color of your skin. more
Our colorblind society needs corrective lenses.
And that’s how Tricia Takanawa landed her gig.
http://pm1.narvii.com/6106/ea924edd29ce7a1c688bae9fb4a69b035d101132_hq.jpg
“But, Professor! I identify as a trans-gender woman of color!”
spent four years in the army as a phone tec. got out applied at the phone company- took a written test-passed. Had to prove i could hook (climb) a pole-passed. was turned down and a black guy got the job with NO qualifications in anything. 🙁 man was i pissed and have been ever since…..
Affirmative action pretty much tells minorities they are too stupid to succeed on their own merits.
When I was in university in the 1970’s, my father worked for the Canadian Federal Government in Public Works. I applied for a summer job with them to do drafting (I was in the Faculty of Architecture). They hired a Black Lesbian from Nova Scotia, who lasted in the job 3 weeks and then quit to go back home to Nova Scotia. NO one was hired as a replacement. My father told me that this was a good lesson on how the Canadian Federal Government worked and that I should look to be employed in the private sector. I did, worked over 30 years, 25 years of being self-employed. All worked out well.
I guess you have to self identify with the most recent victim class.
all you have to do is feel like one of them anymore.
Affirmative action also hurts those it purports to help by elevating the unqualified and setting them up to fail.
In ’74 while in the Navy, I was at a school at Ft. Meade. At 1 year in service, a sailor could apply for a program (NESEP) that would send them to college for an engineering degree, pay for it and when you graduated, commission them as an ensign.
I had top grades in all my schools, had 4.0 evals, and got turned down in 1 week after applying.
Reason told to me by the education petty officer: not black or a woman.
This shit’s been around for quite a while.