Assignment task: Managing Diversity Course
1. Everyone holds stereotypes about social categories - including our own social groups, and including stereotypes about what it means to be white and/or male. It has been suggested that the attitudinal and behavioral enactment of stereotypes that disadvantage individuals who are male and/or white, can be considered prejudice, but not racism or sexism. This is because of the systemic relationship to power and the notion that the "playing field" of access to opportunities is not level to begin with and North America's roots in Eurocentric models of thinking, colonialism, and systems and institutions that reproduce and privilege. Therefore, it has been argued, that reverse discrimination (a term introduced to us in the article about James Damore) is, in fact, a myth. On the other hand, there is potential for all members of the human race to experience disadvantage - including white men. What are your thoughts on this perplexing debate?
2. Pursuant to Canada's Employment Equity legislation, some job postings may state that hiring preference will be given to applicants who identify as women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and/or Indigenous/First Nations. Persons who are not members of these social groups may feel and/or claim that something is being "taken away" from them when organizations take this approach. What would you say to a white man who just found out he was the unsuccessful party of the two final applicants for a Software Engineering job that was ultimately awarded to a woman? He feels he has been robbed. Why might the organization be placing emphasis on hiring members of these categories in the first place? What are your thoughts on this? Keep in mind only applicants who meet the minimum qualifications can make it through the recruitment process.
3. What image does the word 'feminism' elicit in your mind?
4. In a US public opinion poll, 87% of respondents indicated that men and women express their emotions and feelings differently. Of these responses, 58% of participants suggested these differences in emotional expression were due to societal factors, such as socialization, while the other 42% suggested the differences can be attributed to biological factors, such as evolution and genetic composition. How do you think you would respond to a survey item asking if men and women express their feelings similarly to or differently from each other? How would you explain the reason for the difference (if it exists at all)?