I also want to support Wendy's position when she says she can feel regret that her white colleague is disadvantaged when looking for a job (note that she did NOT say she doesn't care at all) but cannot join him in being angry. He is suffering some additional obstacles (due to his race) now. He has experienced some benefits due to his race in the past. I don't think he should be disqualified from teaching African studies (or whatever it was) due to his race, but I can certainly appreciate that a good African American candidate might be preferred. Diversity has value in and of itself, and might be a positive qualification to teach in such a department. I am an academic psychologist; among what I study is prejudice. A few years back I applied for a joint appointment in the psychology and African American studies departments that was advertised for a psychologist who studies prejudice. I did not get interviewed for the job (despite being in many ways, I believe, qualified). Was I disappointed? Sure. Was I surprised or upset? No. I commend the college for hiring an African American psychologist if one was available. It is likely that such a person would bring a deeper knowledge base to the topic, as well as providing a useful model to both black and white students on campus. Susan
