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Linking the Diversity of Peoples' Sex, Race, etc. With the Diversification of Ideas: Who's being Racist and Sexist Here?

April 2002

From University of Toronto Job Ad for Vice President and Provost

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

CAUT Bulletin, February, 2002


Diversity or Conformity?
John Furedy, University of Toronto

Does Jude Tate, co-ordinator, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer resources and programs, who has applauded the recent inclusion of "sexual minority groups" in U of T's employment equity statement" have any systematic evidence to show that preferential hiring on the basis of sex, race, and sexual orientation actually "contribute[s] to the further diversification of ideas" (Employment equity statement updated to include sexual minorities, Sept. 13)?.

Or does this sort of politically-correct hiring policy actually increase conformity and hence reduce the diversity of opinions, by placing the emphasis on what designated group (or groups) an academic is a member of rather than on the ideas themselves contributed by that appointee?

Letter to Editor, published in The Bulletin, University of Toronto, September 24, 2001.