You can't fight discrimination with different discrimination

The University of Alberta and other Canadian universities are awarding hundreds of substantial graduate and undergraduate scholarships for scientific research just now, but white and Asian students need not apply.

Whites and Asians are ineligible for these particular government grants in the health and humanities that pay out $6,000 for the school year.

These students might well have attained the highest level of academic achievement, but the Trudeau Liberals have ruled that one class of scholarships are reserved only for students who identify as Black.

Whatever its perceived merit, this policy, like so much else promoted by the Trudeau Liberals, is at odds with the beliefs of many Albertans.

Many of us are convinced on principle that race should never be a major factor in judging people, including when it comes to hiring or promotion.

This belief used to be strongly held by folks across the political spectrum. As has been preached to generations of Canadians, the goal is always to see each person as a unique individual, and to assess them on what they say or do, not on the colour of their skin, hair or eyes.

This belief is now associated with conservatives. For example, it's explicitly spelled out in regard to post-secondary institutions in the Alberta United Conservative's November 2023 declaration of principles and policies.

The UCP says that along with guaranteeing freedom of speech and freedom of association at our universities, the Alberta government should “ban post-secondary institutions from the use of race as a factor in any admissions program or procedure” and that the government should “ensure post-secondary institutions shall be places of free thought and learning of employable skills by eliminating all diversity, equity and inclusion offices. (Universities and colleges) are not places for indoctrination of identity politics, reverse racism, or radicalization.”

But a new set of beliefs has risen up on the political left recently, one that holds that marginalized groups are still being treated unfairly, so we should do all we can to address such inequity by singling out and promoting members of these groups. In the 2022 federal budget, the Trudeau Liberals put this principle into action, bringing in new funding for hundreds of Black-identifying university students, $41 million over five years, then permanent funding of $10 million per year.

The federal government put forward its rationale for such a program in its “frequently asked questions” on the new funding.

“Why is this new funding important? These new funds will help address the disproportionate underfunding of Black scholars at all stages of their careers. This support for Black scholars will help strengthen efforts to break down barriers and address inequities. In turn, this will contribute to making Canada's research culture more equitable, diverse and inclusive, and to augmenting Canada's innovation potential.”

What to make of this heated clash of principles and ideals? Let's start with where we might all agree.

First, can we agree that any organization or business that hopes to thrive in a diverse culture like Canada would be smart to welcome and reach out to all kinds of folks from all kinds of backgrounds, and that includes people of all races and genders?

I've found wise people with useful perspectives in every group. You're only hurting yourself and your own group if you deliberately shun one of them.

Second, can we also agree that we do well to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate?

In this case, I suspect there would be little or no quarrel here if the Trudeau Liberals had simply set aside this $41 million to identify students of merit from poor families who could use a financial boost to thrive and do good work at university.

By focusing on race, however, the Liberals have picked a fight. Some will be profoundly distressed that race is being used to discriminate systemically, in this case with the possibility that highly qualified white and Asian students — perhaps even the best candidates who will make the most difference for the greater good — will miss out on a significant opportunity.

For many, dividing people by race is inextricably bound to the most vile and unjust actions in human history, so major steps in that direction, even if well-intentioned, feel fraught and misguided.

Others will resent the obvious policy flaw that students from wealthy Black families can get help under this program while students from poor white and Asian families cannot.

There's no need to have such strife over race at our universities. We can identify top-performing students of all races with genuine financial need. As funds are available, we can help them above others.

Make sense?