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1. What Wente fails to acknowledge is that the definition of merit in academia (dollars earned, patents filed, articles published) is not objective. It is a subjective measure defined by and for Western white males who take a traditional, linear trajectory through their careers.
2. Research by Indigenous colleagues often requires, by its very nature, extensive relationship building w communities, and collaboration with nonAcademics. The outcomes may be publications, but policy changes, development of new programs, etc. can be equally or more impactful.
3. Academics who take nonLinear career paths, spending some time in nonAcademic pursuits, may not have as many publications as linear careerists; but they bring a wealth of other experiences & networks to the academic landscape, which are equally important in advancing knowledge.
4. Female-, Indigenous-, LGBTQ2-, and disabled- academics, and academics from racialized groups often spend considerable time advising and mentoring students (and others) who do not see themselves represented in the professoriate. Does it yield publications? Usually not.....
5. ...but these actions contribute enormously toward building the intellectual community of academia. Inspiring, encouraging, and supporting a diverse range of individuals to pursue a career of knowledge creation and mobilization means more advancement and impact for everyone.
6. If only white men studied cancer, we would be less likely to investigate, understand, and cure the specific and highly aggressive forms of cancer African and Caribbean women face - female scientists of colour like @bajanjules27 help bring focus to that critical area.
7. For decades, crash test dummies were exclusively male. The result? Women were disproportionately injured and killed in automobile accidents. Whether it’s development of seatbelts, drugs, power tools, or education, engaging women in the process makes the world a better place.
8. Wente falsely argues that the drive toward diversity necessarily diminishes quality. On the contrary, you can’t maximize quality without equality; and you can’t have equality without first addressing issues of equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
