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Over the last few months I've seen several suggestions that equality and diversity (or the strategies) is about "giving minority/underrepresented groups handouts".
This is fallacy for several reasons
1/7
This is fallacy for several reasons
1/7
1) This suggestion acts as a distraction.
No person from a minority/underrepresented group wants a handout, just a fair opportunity.
This suggestion is just brought up to maintain the status quo and privilege of those in power.
No person from a minority/underrepresented group wants a handout, just a fair opportunity.
This suggestion is just brought up to maintain the status quo and privilege of those in power.
2) Diversity strategies are about levelling the playing field, not tipping the scales in the opposite direction.
Inequality is the issue and won't be solved with a different inequality.
N.B. We're so far off having equality and diversity, do we even need to worry about this?
Inequality is the issue and won't be solved with a different inequality.
N.B. We're so far off having equality and diversity, do we even need to worry about this?
3) Suggesting that a person is being given a handout makes a mockery of the hard work they've put in and the barriers they've had to overcome.
Also, one handout is not enough to overcome a lifetime of oppression.
Also, one handout is not enough to overcome a lifetime of oppression.
4) Organisations regularly call on the same people to give talks at events.
The same rehashed talks (we've all seen it) lead to a lack of diversity in ideas, and ultimately stagnation.
The same rehashed talks (we've all seen it) lead to a lack of diversity in ideas, and ultimately stagnation.
5) People in underrepresented groups are often not seen as experts for a variety of reasons, including a lack of diversity in the decision making teams.
It is not a handout if the person is qualified to perform the job/task.
It is not a handout if the person is qualified to perform the job/task.
6) If your board/committee looks like Trump's 2017 cabinet then it's not a handout.
It's your organisation trying to be seen to do be doing something.
It's a token gesture.
It's your organisation trying to be seen to do be doing something.
It's a token gesture.
