I've got somewhat of a different perspective on this, being female. I benefited from Affirmative Action, myself, back in 1973. The federal government made Exxon Refinery hire women because Exxon did business with the feds. I was one of the first hires, one of the first two women put out on a refinery unit. We were NOT wanted or welcome. It took a very thick skin - thicker than I had - I didn't last quite a year.
Then I got into printing - again, one of the first women. I was the only woman in the first few shops I worked in, and some of the men were Neanderthals about it, but over time that changed and it quit being remarkable. It helped that my boyfriend had a printing shop and taught me the trade first.
Now I'm a lawyer - and I know some of the women who went first but by the time I got to law school it was almost 50-50. These women broke the ground, and it was tough, but everyone admired them by the time I got there. They still don't have many women in upper echelon positions in big firms, though.
Yes, Asian immigrants do better than blacks, but I don't see many of them in upper echelon positions in big law firms yet, nor do I see them in upper slots in big corporations, nor getting elected to high office. Will they hit the glass ceiling, too? My guess is yes. |
