Article content
Alex Usher is an experienced observer of post-secondary education in Canada and so his letter to the Macdonald-Laurier Institute on its recent study of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hires attracts our attention. In that letter, Usher denounces the research and conclusions of three researchers on the subject: they are, he says, driven by “gutter social science” and called their work “a drive-by smear” that some would call “clearly racist and sexist.”
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
- Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
- Unlimited online access to National Post.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
- Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
- Unlimited online access to National Post.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Article content
Usher takes issue with the researchers’ comparisons of the research productivity of different groups of scholars favoured by DEI, and of those that are not favoured at all. From this study, readers might conclude that Usher’s attack is not well founded. One of the authors wrote a full rebuttal.
Article content
Recommended Videos
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
DEI leads to discrimination against individuals in favour of increasing participation from identities (race, colour, gender, etc.) that are said to be equity-deserving. In Canada, this discrimination is pervasive and long-standing, and contrary to Section 15(1) of the Charter, though ostensibly saved by the wide scope of affirmative action permitted by Section 15(2).
Article content
It is not surprising that the impact of DEI on academia is now under review. That is what the MLI researchers did, and readers are free to take issue with their methodology and conclusions. They are not free, however, to denigrate the authors and the organization for which they worked.
Article content
Usher’s attack illustrates the stridency and denunciation that make debate on contemporary issues difficult, sometimes impossible. His easy resort to -isms (racism, sexism, etc.) and to alleged phobias are common in Canada, and their impact is polarizing. We see this in our universities and other public institutions where people too often go to their corners with others of like mind and scorn or ignore those with whom they differ.
Article content
The Macdonald-Laurier study is a report that calls for attention and debate, not strident denunciation.
Article content
National Post
Article content
Peter MacKinnon is a former dean of law and university president. He is a senior fellow of both the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the Aristotle Foundation.
Article content
