Diversity is Divisive

At my institution, we have recently hired two new administrators. Both appear to be competent. Neither was in the top tier of applicants. Both are minorities. I suspect that both will do well. However, we did not get the BEST people for the jobs. I was on one of the search committees. We scoured about 100 applications and listed our four best, as requested. We were told that we should add a minority to at least interview, because it would "look better." We consented. We added the best-qualified minority, who was not nearly as qualified as the four initially chosen. Guess who got the job? (We were suckered)

On the more general topic of diversity, it seems to me that too much effort is put into celebrating DIFFERENCES. I do not suggest that all national cultures become homogeneous. However, the "melting pot" was a good idea and it worked. There is less "melting" going on and too much emphasis upon differences; in language, values, appearance etc. This nation is the best on earth. It was no accident. Our common values (and language) have served us well. I do not want to lose that. English may not be the "best" language but it is still the ONLY language of maximum opportunity. We do citizens a disservice when we allow them to marginally function in a language other than English. They are economically "doomed." It's not complicated.