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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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8

Critics Blast Congress for Lack of Staff Diversity

NFL hiring rule may translate to Capitol Hill

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(Newser) – Congressional staffs are so overwhelmingly white that Capitol Hill needs its own version of the NFL rule requiring teams hiring a head coach to interview at least one person of color, critics tell the Hill. Frustrated staffers, lobbyists, and aides point out that even though more minorities are being elected, just two Senate chiefs of staff aren’t white. “Given such poor numbers, let’s just acknowledge that there is something broken about this process,” said one lobbyist.

“I don’t think people are out-and-out prejudiced, but there’s a lack of effort,” said Robert Primus, one of only five black House chiefs of staff with white bosses. Something like the Rooney Rule, which forces NFL teams to interview black coaching candidates, might help. Harry Reid has created a diversity officer to help Democratic senators hire minorities, but the House hasn’t followed suit.

A view of the West Front of the Capitol building in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, where President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn-in next Tuesday.
A view of the West Front of the Capitol building in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, where President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn-in next Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Latino day laborers, urged to show
Latino day laborers, urged to show "the hands that built America" by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, hold a news conference in front of the Capitol Building in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A view of the West Front of the Capitol building in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, where President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn-in next Tuesday.
A view of the West Front of the Capitol building in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, where President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn-in next Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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freethemall
Jun 26, 09 12:20 PM CDT
I'm surprised that no one has, as yet, commented on this story. If and when the comments start, I expect there will be some who decry affirmative action as reverse discrimination, and therefore an evil thing. Others will say it is a good thing, that remedies the negative effects of past discrimination. Those who support affirmative action are almost sure to oppose racial profiling. Those who oppose affirmative action, are likely (though they may not admit it) to excuse racial profiling. It just maybe, that affirmative action, AND also racial profiling are necessary evils. Any thoughts on that from any of you bloggers? Reply
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kokuaguy
Jun 26, 09 1:45 PM CDT
I do not see affirmative action to remedy the effects of hundreds of years of slavery and more than a century of Jim Crow as any kind of evil, and as an absolute necessity to achieve a just society. It should be targeted-- most women today, and certainly Barak Obama's or Will Smith's kids, do not need affirmative action to compete successfully, as long as the playing field is level. It is important that the backlash against affirmative action should be offset by programs to benefit poverty stricken populations of all demographics, including pockets of Appalachian poverty that have existed for generations in white communities. "Racial profiling" is not something that I see as having any benefit in the vast majority of situations. The burden of proof should be very heavy on anyone advocating it. Do you have any justifications to offer, free, or any specific examples where you think it has been or could be beneficial?
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beatmastermcfly
Jun 26, 09 12:41 PM CDT
i just don't understand how the interviewers are deliberately not interviewing minorities. Are they sitting in an office looking at applications and going "Gonzalez? Hell naaww" or what. Reply
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godawgs
Jun 26, 09 12:48 PM CDT
The lack of diversity is always talked about, and I can't find a good way to get it explained. If you want to get past looking at a person based on their race then why do we have these mandates? Sports coaching jobs are the worst. Where is the outcry of saying your have draft at least one person of (insert race here) in the top three. Why is it when we talk about diversity that always mean african american? Where is the call for Asian or Hispanic diversity? Reply
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tbirdsradio
Jun 26, 09 12:51 PM CDT
Who are the "critics" exactly. Staffers...lobbyists...aides..., the article is extemely vague. Let's find out who exactly is crying foul and look at their track record. What should be considered is job qualifications, not skin color. Reply
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