Discrimination Against URM Physicians

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I'm fine with affirmative action, but I strongly feel that it does not benefit those whom it is intended for. There is no question diversity strengthens the medical community, but I also believe that there is more to diversity than skin color. I think that affirmative action emphasizes racial divides rather than attempting to remove them in suggesting that the current climate can be balanced by artificial quotas.

Being said, I could never imagine the mindset of "He only got in because he is black/hispanic/white/poor/rich/Martian". I've only ever been impressed with other medical students and applicants. I'm sure others feel differently though.

 

[galaxyx]

I think this whole historically disadvantaged argument is a bit disingenuous.

" And often “racial” preferences are not linked to any kind of historic disadvantage. A recent study at Harvard Law School found that only 30 percent of the blacks at Harvard had four African-American grandparents. And the other 70 percent were either from mixed race families or were first- or second-generation immigrants. So there again, you see the schools casting about. "

http://www.nj.com/njvoices/index.ssf/2013/03/qa_should_affirmative_action_f.html


I don't understand why so many people want to protect the system as it is right now. It seems to have strayed so far from what it once was.

Affirmative Action did not begin to uplift the "poor and disadvantaged." It was advocated for by middle and upper middle class minorities and women who were being discriminated against DESPITE having equal qualifications. So, Affirmative Action does help those that it was historically created to help. Because of, not despite, Affirmative Action, it now appears that women and well off minorities no longer 'need' the program that got them to this stage.

It's amazing how quickly people forget that in 1969 only 9% of medical students were female and in 1985 only 14% of practicing physicians. In 1974 African Americans made up about 2% of physicians and 11% of the population and today are about 6% of physicians and 13% of the population.