Does Pursuing “Diversity And Inclusion” Go Against Meritocracy?
Who gets the opportunity?
So many corporates and other large organizations today pursue the maintenance of diversity and inclusion in their firms. The idea behind it is to provide equal opportunities to all sectors. Moreover, creating a diverse workforce, whether cultural or other forms of diversity, equips the company better to handle an equally diverse set of challenges.
However, one burning question regarding the whole concept of diversity and inclusion is pertinent to meritocracy. In a pure meritocracy, the person who displays the best skillset and potential is supposed to get the opportunity.
Nevertheless, while pursuing diversity and inclusion, a meritocratic society cannot exist. Because in such a society more importance is given to diversity and inclusion. Merit is not the most crucial aspect in determining who gets the best opportunities to succeed.
However, is this a bad thing or a good thing? It is both.
It is terrible because it takes away opportunities from those who genuinely deserve it. It takes away opportunities from those who worked hard to be the best fit in terms of skills for the opportunity.
It is good also in a way. We now live in a democracy(that is what they want us to call it), but that was not always the case. Just a few centuries ago, Kings and Queens made decisions for everyone. Furthermore, only the royal family children got to become the subsequent Kings and Queens. Those who missed out on opportunities due to their social status can now be offered opportunities due to the pursuit of diversity and inclusion. Hence, the whole concept of equal opportunity.
Nevertheless, an essential aspect is that before a person is offered opportunities in terms of diversity and inclusion, the person should show potential to succeed with that opportunity.
For example, an underprivileged child might be considered over a well-versed child for an Engineering program if the former shows acumen. In the same way, different opportunities are offered based on what people bring to the table.
However, one worrying trend has been spreading like wildfire: faking diversity.
Let us take a community X. This community has suffered for years due to social injustice, and now that injustice is being recognized. So they are now getting better opportunities to help right the wrong to as much an extent as possible.
However, of late, many people who do not belong to Community X are faking it. They just have to say that “I identify that I belong to Community X.” That is all it takes to steal the opportunity that the fake person does not deserve.
The problem with diversity and inclusion is that although it has noble intentions to provide opportunities to the less fortunate, there is no framework to weed out the fakes. If you call out a person for faking it to avail diversity privilege, they start crying about discrimination.
Two sections suffer when people fake it. Firstly, the people of Community X get a bad name because unworthy people use their name to get better opportunities. Secondly, the meritorious people are denied opportunities for success. It is like they are being pushed towards becoming underprivileged.
Just because some lazy and untalented person declares that they identify with Community X, they get better opportunities. The vetting procedure is also substandard and needs to be improved. People who work hard are not getting their deserved opportunities, while those who cry and whine with a victim mentality get everything.
Diversity and inclusion are noble causes. However, too many lazy, weak-minded, and undeserving people are taking advantage of it. I hope changes can be made to ensure that hard work pays off.
