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[larryc]

This is how institutional racism works, isn't it? A bunch of older whites, all of whom likely think of themselves as in favor of diversity and absolutely not racist, look past the candidates of color and focus on the white ones. They see the whites as more qualified, a "better fit," more likely to take the job and remain at the institution, etc. Because what older faculty look for in a new department member is someone who will fill their shoes--a Mini Me.

[msparticularity]

This is how institutional racism works, isn't it? A bunch of older whites, all of whom likely think of themselves as in favor of diversity and absolutely not racist, look past the candidates of color and focus on the white ones. They see the whites as more qualified, a "better fit," more likely to take the job and remain at the institution, etc. Because what older faculty look for in a new department member is someone who will fill their shoes--a Mini Me.

Additionally, individuals who are from groups that have traditionally been excluded may actually lack some of the experience/pedigree that is a product of generational accrual--the social and cultural capital that can have such effect in academia.

[oldfullprof]

What Ms P says is key.  Many POC do not do well on phone interviews because no one has coached them.  Also, some ethnic groups may have members who have an uncomfortably authoritarian approach as professors because "rigidity" has been a ticket into middle class life.  (Sometimes this hurts the hiring chances of those who follow.)  People from foreign countries, likewise, although wonderfully qualified, may not be able to motivate US students well due to unrealistic expectations in terms of comportment, study habits, etc.   

[george_a_lozano]

What happens when you consider yourself to be part of the "majority" but it is obvious others see you as some sort of "minority". Which perception is the one that matters?

[polly_mer]

What happens when you consider yourself to be part of the "majority" but it is obvious others see you as some sort of "minority". Which perception is the one that matters?

How do people treat you?  

If people treat you as a barely tolerated person to meet a checkbox quota, then you have a problem.  If people treat you as a solid member of the department, then nothing else matters, regardless of what boxes are checked in the privacy of minds.

I spend far more time being the barely tolerated simulationist/theorist/teacher-prep person than I do being the woman.

[tuxedo_cat]

What happens when you consider yourself to be part of the "majority" but it is obvious others see you as some sort of "minority".

They make up goofy food-related analogies for your identity label.  heh

[quantmeister]

Was on a search committee a year or three ago. We had the visit from the university's diversity office to direct our attention to ways of increasing the diversity of the applicant pool. I was struck by one statement made by this person. Suppose you've got a faculty group that's completely white and of middle-class North American origin. Now comes a male candidate of obvious Chinese origin. Per the diversity office person, if this candidate is actually Chinese (as in, a citizen or resident of China) he does not contribute to the diversity of our department. If this candidate is actually an "American" (as in, he grew up here but happened to have parents of Chinese origin), he does increase the diversity of the department.

I was (and remain) confused ...