Essay 1105

Three more comments responding to the AdAge editorial presented in Essay 1094…

> As a Libertarian, I abhor government intervention of any kind. As someone who has run an agency, I also know how difficult it is to find minority candidates of any kind. The word “grandstanding” couldn’t be more appropriate, especially in a critical election year. Can the industry do more to become more ethnically diverse? Yes. But it must police itself. — c, O

> This whole thing is sickening. Another example of giving people something before they earn it. I don’t care what color you are or where you come from. Work for what you want, study for it, become qualified and luckily you will get it. And don’t lose sight of the fact that there are plenty of others out there who try and try and get turned down who are all colors. When are the “hand-outs” to ever end? It seems everyone has their hand out and everyone is owed something for nothing. Quit whining and complaining. From Detroit, Michigan — Southfield, MI

> Your editorial may be well-intentioned, but you obviously didn’t consult any people of color before you wrote it. The editorial, while trying to appear balanced, lacks real understanding of the issue as seen by those on the short end of the stick. Very few gains for “minorities” have been achieved without significant action and established goals. Business runs on setting goals and objectives. The only way to shake the advertising industry out of its inertia and disinterest in hiring and promoting qualified “minorities” is for those who have some authority to call the industry to task. The Commission’s action is necessary and long overdue. It now must back up the words and agreements with action. I find your attempt to spin your comment about lowering standards a bit distasteful. Why would you even utter the thought that an agency would lower its standard in order to hire minorities? The mere fact that you mention it indicates that it is your thinking. There are plenty of qualified candidates available, the one qualification they seem to lack is one they can never have: white skin. Put that aside and the pool widens dramatically. There is no single qualification for a career in advertising. Many luminaries in the industry gained entry through a myriad of channels. The same opportunity should be made available to “minorities.” — Stamford, CT