"The proposal did not mention qualifications or changing standards. Yet, the words 'increase diversity' tripped a psychological hairpin trigger, signaling that merit would be compromised."
"Phrases like 'diversity hire' have come to mean a candidate lacks competence; the acronym 'DEI' has been reappropriated to mean 'didn't earn it.'"
"My research, in collaboration with Eileen Suh and Yue Wu, suggests that this belief in a diversity-meritocracy trade-off is surprisingly widespread in nationally representative surveys of everyday Americans."
The shift from 'diversity' to 'belonging' and 'culture' in corporate and academic language reflects fears of litigation and a growing belief that diversity efforts compromise meritocracy. A university president expressed that while diversity is valued, quality must not be sacrificed. The term 'diversity hire' has negative connotations, suggesting incompetence. Research indicates a widespread belief in a trade-off between diversity and meritocracy, which may contribute to political deadlock in the U.S.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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