Measuring the Unmeasurable: Racism by the Numbers
Several years ago, women faculty at my university raised concerns about gender inequity across hiring, retention, and pay. The data suggested those concerns were valid so the university brought in an outside team to examine if gender inequity, in fact, existed at the university.
The university faculty was composed of fewer than 40% women (well below the percentage of women in society) and women faculty had been leaving the university at a higher rate than men faculty for several years. Although the university culture discouraged the sharing of salaries, women faculty were able to establish that women did in fact make less than men—in part, because there was also inequity of rank by gender.
These gender imbalances are common across higher education in the U.S. as well.
The external review gathered more data, mostly interviewing across campus different stakeholders in the university. That report confirmed gender inequity and offered reform strategies to address the imbalances.
Almost immediately upon its release, white male faculty questioned the review on the grounds that it did not meet the high standards of scientific inquiry (quantitative experimental/quasi-experimental research).
This scenario is playing out nationally in a similar way, but focusing on racial inequity (racism) in policing, specifically in the use of deadly force by police officers.
First, it is important to start a consideration of statistic and quantitative data CONTINUE READING: Measuring the Unmeasurable: Racism by the Numbers – radical eyes for equity
Uncritical Erase Theory Seminars: Presented by Trump University and Khan Academy [Satire] – radical eyes for equity - https://wp.me/p2GmBR-9Eb via @plthomasEdD 