I love how people have no qualms about using stats to generalize facts about white people, but when we do the same we are labeled as racists. You're taking statistics about a given race and using them to assume that all of us fall into those categories. Blanket statements are problematic because it pigeonholes people into certain stereotypes. So according to you I have an easier time getting a job? That's kind of ironic considering I live in a city where white people are the minority and about 75% of my coworkers are people of color. I have an easier time getting an apartment?My credit is less than stellar so I live with my friend who's Mexican (I'm not being racist, she really is Mexican) and had no problem getting a lease in her name. I'm less likely to be pulled over and given a ticket? Again, not true. I was pulled over in January of this year and given a ticket. I realize the possibility that I could be considered an anomaly, but I'm basing my opinions on my experiences.
With all of that being said, I'm not naive. I'm not blind to the social injustices of the world. I know racism is alive and well. The point I'm trying to get across is that based on my experiences, I think that my accomplishments and merits should be looked at on an equal level with other applicants. I would not want to get a job based solely on the fact that I'm a woman when there are men with higher stats so I don't believe other groups should expect preferential treatment either. Schools and businesses that accept and hire people based on a predetermined quota are missing out on a large chunk of highly qualified applicants. Let's take race out of the equation for a second. Would you want to be rejected from a school because they need to include 5 Atheists even though you are more qualified than these people? People that don't fall under these categories will automatically be excluded and I'm sorry, but that's not right. You don't have to agree with me, but these are my own personal beliefs and opinions.
You say that you don't want to live in a world where there is a false sense of equality, but how does giving people privileges solely based on their race, ethnicity, or gender promote equality? If anything, it just creates a bigger bias. Furthermore, minorities are not the only ones that have limited opportunities. I am a white woman that grew up in a low SES household and the first one in my family to attend college. I put myself through college by working my butt off and now because of the color of my skin I should be held to higher standards than the guy or girl sitting next to me because it is assumed that I had access to more resources or opportunities? Sorry, but that's kind of ridiculous.
I am a woman in science from a low income background. I do not want preference in admissions based on these factors at all. I want my application to be considered against a white wealthy male from a long line of academics and if admitted, I want it to be because my application is better than his.
Giving me an advantage because I am female is no better than giving white males an advantage. In either case, you discriminate against a specific group based on factors that are out of their control. I find the concept of admitting less qualified students based on gender, ethnicity, etc insulting and discriminatory and I would never accept an offer if I thought these factors contributed to my acceptance. By not holding me to the same admission standards as males, you imply that I am not as capable as they are. You lower the bar for me and only perpetuate the gap between performance.
