The problem is that these "immutable characteristics" are very hard to assess subjectively by humans.
Say you divide a group of candidates into evenly split groups based on something. Gender, age, race - your pick. You'd end up with an uneven split even if your entire pool has the same qualification level and you let someone hire from it "by merit". And I don't mean it'll be random, there will be a clear distribution given enough samples.
How else do you suggest we solve this issue besides affirmative action?
Having a culture conscious of bias is good, but I'd rather see some progress before the end of the century. You know, cause old people exist and you can't really change this culture too fast, especially not if you factor in reactionaries that are sort of standing in the way and can't see the issue (hint: it's because you don't have the issue).
Old people are bad? I don't have issues? Because I'm a particular color and ethnicity you've attached to me?
My comment is about education that is actual education. For example, let's teach kids math in a form that has worked for centuries. Not this new common core stuff. Let's teach students a more complete history, versus the cartoonish narrative that has produced these brainwashed masses. And the current cultural narrative is part of that problem. Check out Thomas Sowell or Camille Paglia. They have some ideas on education based in empirical evidence, not based on what sounds good.
And how has there not been progress? If you look at what the media says I can understand that impression. But walk around a city and you'll see people of all colors, ethnicities, wearing suits working in offices, etc.
I live in a world where, if you put your mind to it and work hard, you can get closer to where you want to be. No matter who you are. And no matter where you came from.
I don't walk around the world putting people in victim/oppressor categories based on someone's outward appearance. That's dark. And to me, more a reflection on the viewer than the actual people they claim to know which category they fit in.
Last I checked both articles have extensive "References" sections. Unless you actually like what you read, in that case I'll just have to deal with that. Unfortunate that stuck up people like you exist, but I'm not going to change that on this bastion of techbro-ism. (I know you people hate that word, so I made sure to use it)
Say you divide a group of candidates into evenly split groups based on something. Gender, age, race - your pick. You'd end up with an uneven split even if your entire pool has the same qualification level and you let someone hire from it "by merit". And I don't mean it'll be random, there will be a clear distribution given enough samples.
How else do you suggest we solve this issue besides affirmative action?