South Africa’s Black economic empowerment program is facing criticism for its lack of effectiveness and potential for exploitation. The head of the program, Tshediso Matona, is proposing changes to incentivize corporate participation and crack down on fraudulent practices, aiming to address the country’s deep-rooted racial inequality.
Amidst legal challenges and mounting political pressure, an increasing number of higher education institutions are dismantling their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision and state legislation, universities have been re-examining the efficacy of their DEI initiatives. Despite the removal of DEI programs, some observers believe that proxy initiatives are emerging to evade accountability and continue promoting DEI principles under different guises, such as ‘belonging’ and ‘culturally responsive teaching.’ Critics argue that these programs lack evidence of effectiveness and create a cycle of self-preservation that hinders progress in addressing campus climate issues.
The recent creation of a government-defined Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) racial category is a misguided and potentially harmful move. This new designation will be incorporated into various surveys and forms, including those used by private organizations. However, the reasons for this change are flawed, and the consequences for MENA Americans could be detrimental.
Advocates for this category argue that it will provide political influence and access to affirmative action benefits. However, this is a flawed assumption as MENA Americans generally have higher socioeconomic status than white Americans, making them ineligible for such benefits.
Moreover, the creation of this category ignores the diverse ethnicities, religions, and languages within the MENA region. By lumping these diverse populations into a single racial group, the government is oversimplifying and potentially creating a false sense of unity.
Additionally, this move could lead to discrimination against MENA Americans in university admissions and other areas where affirmative action policies are implemented. MENA activists have underestimated the success of their own community and have inadvertently created a situation where MENA Americans could face obstacles due to this new racial category.
The government should focus on collecting data on ancestry rather than creating new racial categories. Ancestry data can provide valuable information without the potential for discrimination and misrepresentation.
Ultimately, the creation of a MENA racial category is a mistake. It perpetuates stereotypes, undermines the diversity of MENA communities, and could have negative consequences for MENA Americans.
