I’ve come across a lot of things here on LinkedIn, including employers saying they don’t promote affirmative action because they believe in meritocracy.
This is a nice word, and it would be really good if it really existed. The truth is that in Brazil there is no pure meritocracy.
For it to really happen, the starting point should be the same for all people, and we well know that it isn’t.
Those who are born in the middle of a favela, in totally adverse conditions, don’t have the same opportunities as a young person from the upper middle class.
For this to happen we would have to advance a lot in basic sanitation, public education, public health, public transport and the fight against poverty.
While this is not happening, it is impossible to take into account only merits and competencies in a selection process. Affirmative action is urgently needed.
The importance of affirmative action
Affirmative action has been making headway for some time now. Racial and social quotas were the kick-off to draw the market’s attention to this issue.
Since then, studies carried out at USP (University of São Paulo) have shown that in the first years of university it is very difficult for students from public schools to follow courses at the same speed as students from public schools.
However, through tutoring and even through the student’s own efforts, by the time they reach their last year of university, this difference is much smaller.
This shows that when affirmative action is carried out, it provides an opportunity for meritocracy, because it places those who have had fewer opportunities on an equal footing with others.
Affirmative action in companies
A little over two years ago, Magalu was one of the pioneers in holding a trainee process only for black and brown people. The decision was made after the chain found that there were too few black and brown people in leadership positions.
Since then, other companies have adopted the same approach. Has this equalized down the quality of these organizations as many said? Never.
Just as education at USP did not decrease, the same happened in companies. After all, when people with fewer opportunities embrace a position like this, they work twice as hard not to let it slip away.
This affirmative action has nothing paternalistic about it. It exists to better equalize the starting point and from then on create a true meritocracy.
That’s why I advocate so strongly that all companies adopt these actions. Without them, we would continue in a country with deep racial and social inequalities.
I believe that with the passing of time, these actions will be responsible for us having a more humane, just, equal and better country for all. Do you agree?
