Meditations on Equity and Inclusivity
In the eyes of God, we are equals among equals. Though, unfortunately, not in the eyes of our terrestrial being. Inequality is the subject of common squabbles among us “equals”.
The conditions under which the current race/ethnicity distribution in any given field is measured must be considered prior to assumptions of discrimination. Since discrimination is, without fail, present, there is no productivity in repeatedly diagnosing it.
Relative population size of each given group category (within given geographical parameters, or period) may be equal in proportion to the distributions in any given field. To reach the arbitrary insistence of absolute final equity the legislature can rule a policy for businesses simply as such. This kind of policy then bypasses case to case evaluation and creates another form of discrimination against merit, as well as an arbitrary cap on individuals from majority groups.
This solution, however, does not contend with the underlying socioeconomic problems. There is a positive correlation between household income children are born into and the career fields offered in colleges that fall within affordability. The more expensive the major, across number of colleges, the more likely there is an economic threshold that acts as a filter. No shit.
The problem is that there is a strong overlap of distribution between income classes and ethnic/racial groups. This (domestic or otherwise) financial inequality will produce, not randomly, performance shortfalls. Therefore, the minority groups may fall short on merit evaluations because of affected performance. Simple merit evaluations as a final analysis for equitable employment, let us say, is not a comprehensive solution.
Economic bootstrapping solutions may be forms of charities only for certain socioeconomic groups. These include Grants, scholarships, competitions, and financial aid. These charitable solutions, however, cannot be legislated redistribution of wealth/opportunity from the rest of the population on-the-basis of the rich oppressing the poor. It, however, will be redistribution of wealth from the pool of the community — we cannot escape that. Your coin, his coin, and all our coins produce the infrastructure for all. Laws on ownership of property do not consider the global efforts that produce each unit material solution. I digress.
To push group politics and wage resentment does not seem to be a final solution, on the part of the “discriminated” or the “apologists”. The Marxist motives should be each individually explored further in depth.
Each individual person is constituent of complex biological, psychological, material and behavioral profiles of indefinite variability — Equity is not in nature. Nature itself is not inclusive and is arbitrarily punishing. The life sciences contend with the asynchronous development of each separate being to equalize them to a standard of “health”. This involves truthful and diligent research, and an economy of solutions using cheap raw materials with smart synthetic mechanisms.
Promotion of “equity” in the life science academia can be conceptualized as the studying we do every day. So, I think I will try to do that better.
