I always have problems with this issue, and was hesitant to jump in. However, here is my story, and why it gives me difficulties.

The problem is big picture/little picture. On the big picture side, AA seems, if fairly implemented, to be a reasonably good idea. On the little picture side, it sucks when it impacts you personally.

I used to teach philosophy. Went to graduate school, won an "Excellence in Teaching" award, and all I wanted was a good community college gig, and I would be happy. Started applying in 1990, when I was 30 years old.

Most schools were going through the retirement of the professors from the 1960's, almost all white men. To keep federal funding, there was a big drive to promote diversity in the faculty. I think this is a fine ideal. However, I think some of the beaurocrats put diversity before quality.

At that time, every job posting said, "Women and Minorities encouraged to apply." No problem. I still remember Tacoma Community College which said, "Women and Minorities, Disabled and/or VietNam Veterans, People with Disabilities, or People over 40 encouraged to apply." I was a white, healthy, 30-year-old, I didn't even bother with Tacoma. *g*

But here I was, a qualifed, awarded, excellent teacher. I knew this leveled the playing ground, but I also knew I was one of the best players out there. So into the job pool I leaped.

In two separate instances, I lost the job to "an Affirmative Action candidate" who was a foreign national. One was Korean, one was from Africa. In each case, a member of the interview committee apoligized to me later, saying, "You were our first choice, but the administration needed an AA employee."

The funny thing is, being a logician, is that applying the law to a foreign national is ludicrous. How can a Korean, who is a citizen of Korea, be considered a Minority? Doesn't matter, I don't get the job.

I finally realized that I had wasted 5 years of my life, because at that time and place, I was not hireable DUE TO MY RACE. I left Philosophy, and found a new career to feed my kids.

The funny part of this story? Both foreign nationals lasted less than 2 years in the job. Each was let go, because the students couldn't understand them, due to poor English skills. I'd would probably still be at the school, doing a job I loved.

So, what's the point? I don't know. Life ain't fair, folks, and you can't totally legislate it to be fair. Establishing a level playing field is great, but in the end, the focus should be on the individual. Going with a second-rate applicant, or with someone who can't do the work, in the interest of being "fair", probably isn't fair.

Blues

(final note, in a Life's Little Ironies way. Today, I'd be very hireable. I'm 43, and I have a permament, partial disablilty in my ankle, forcing me to occasionally use a cane. Due to these facts, today I would be an ideal candidate. Does any one else see a problem with these two factors, since neither one of them has anything to do with ability?)