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FTSE 100 clients demand diversity

Positive discrimination is still discrimination In the same way that anyone who is BME and/or female and/or gay had no choice in the matter, I have no choice about being white, male and straight. Also, though I am nominally 'middle class' (my parents owned a semi-detached house, and inherited a little money from their own parents), in no sense did I choose that either. Equally, nor did being middle class give me any headstart over non-middle class people - I was raised by a couple who valued my (state) education and provided family routine and a stable home life, but these are things that don't cost parents money, just time. As such, it is galling to discover that some firms or employers will choose to pick others over me based on reasons other than talent and experience. I worked hard to qualify as a lawyer and have worked hard in my jobs since, and while I don't deserve success any more than anyone who is not white, male, middle class or heterosexual, I don't deserve it any less. Employers should be encouraged to employ anyone who is up to the job regardless of the candidate's background or sexuality, but positive discrimination is not the right way to push that change. But then which fool who is going to stick their neck out to fight discrimination against the straight white male? That's the modern equivalent of sticking up for communists in 1950s America: total career suicide.

27-May-2008

6:34 pm