Thread by @Tinu

Catching up on #TheBoldType & this conversation about "diversity hires" is important.

So first of all, they bungled this a little by basing this situation on a scenario that does not EVER exist.

Affirmative Action is not a tie-breaker.

That's based on a long-held misinformation campaign dating back to the 80s.

The affirmative action laws say OPPORTUNITY must be equal. For EVERYONE not just black people.

It does not say "if there's a tie, give the job to the black person, person of color, or woman."

That is not what affirmative action is.

It also doesn't say "hire unqualified people."

When companies do that - and they rarely do - that is their internal HR policy.

In government it's different. They are bound to try and reflect the population. They still don't hire unqualified people.

You see, a black person often isn't considered for a job unless they are WILDLY over-qualified.

When #inclusion is an afterthought? It's a setup.

It's both

-an excuse to quiet anyone who questions why black staff has been added

- & something to blame for anything that goes wrong.

Secondly.

On #TheBoldType, one of the young ladies the show is about lost a job to someone who happened to be a woman of color.

Instead of confronting the situation, or even briefly considering that the other chick was just better for the job?

She took her anger out on her mixed race friend.

She implied that the only reason the other girl was hired over her was race.

Paraphrasing the young lady's answer: "so you're all for #diversity unless it affects you?"

And this is the problem, white allies.

Be in to #endracism. All the way in.

Or admit you're comfortable with being racists. And get out.

What's all the way in?

Fighting racism, even when it's uncomfortable.

Yielding the floor when it's time for us to speak.

Being willing to make personal sacrifices PROUDLY.

Support.

Whenever we won a fight for equality, we shared that victory with you.

None of the laws or provisions we won are marked "black people only."

Bottom line: if we want to end bigotry in this country, of any kind, those of you who are privileged and want change will have to sacrifice as well.

Black people been sacrificing in the New World since 1619. The after effects of this are still at play today.

3- Diversity is a positive, a needed tool. Stop treating it like a creamer to soften the coffee.

So if it WAS a tie-breaker- and it isn't - it should be treated on par with fitting into the existing workplace culture, or having more experience than another applicant.

Her friend thought she was losing a job she wanted because of her race.

What she doesn't see, even if that were true? There's more FAIR opportunities for her everywhere.

The other one has several barriers to employment.

@threadreaderapp please unroll