Pretty much this. I think the same goes for a lot of distinctions, both within and between institutions, that systematically favour the already favoured.
https://twitter.com/AsheeshKSi/status/1447728006366121985
NB I think most academic rewards go to people who "merit" them, just like most of the tiny number of TT academic jobs go to eminently qualified candidates. But given the numbers there's just too much of the lottery about the whole business for the language of merit not to rankle.
I don't think anyone should begrudge anyone else their good news! But I guess I think it's naive to expect that further good fortune of people already statistically fortunate enough to have tenured positions won't generate comment on how tilted things look to the majority.
As for "how come people don't criticize the MacArthurs?" I think people do criticize them. But maybe because so much of the criticism of the last bunch of awards came from racist directions, piling on that bandwagon now seems very obviously unwise if you're interested in equity?
idk. I think I'm good at my job. But I'm aware when I announce my good news that I can do things with tenure and a 2-2 that plenty of other people who will never have those could also have done in my place -- and if they resent the imbalance, well, why shouldn't they?
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