He will not deign to respond to this letter. That is a pity, for affirmative action poses difficult issues both in a generic sense and in specific applications. It is not below the dignity of Cornel West, in Race Matters, or of the Supreme Court, to address these very issues. Thus, openings should be widely advertised in a wide variety of outlets.
Affirmative action is more.
It is this 'something extra' that will, on occasion, result in an appointment of a minority candidate even if that candidate may fall somewhat shy of the merits of another applicant. That is the mandate of the affirmative action law. In the instant case five candidates were identified by the search committee, which included students, as meeting the qualifications for two advertised advisement positions. One of these, a minority woman, was appointed to the permanent position by the administration. Instead, a black male candidate on the list, with impressive credentials and even more experience, got the nod.