London, Ontario is looking to hire a new Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression, but says those interested in applying need to have “lived experience” as a racialized person.
The City of London’s job postingis just the latest public sector “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) job to have a race-based hiring criteria.
The City says it is looking for “a transformational leader” who would be responsible for “guiding and implementing an overarching vision, identity, and strategy to position the City of London as a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization and community.”
The director will be responsible for London’s “Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Division,” which was created following the summer of Black Lives Matter protests and riots caused by the killing of George Floyd in the United States.
This “anti-racist” division focuses on “addressing racism and oppression, directed towards Black people, Indigenous people, Asian people, and all people of colour” as well as ableism, xenophobia, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia in the City of London’s public service and broader community.
The City of London notes that “lived experience as a Black, Indigenous or other racialized person who can acknowledge and speak to the impact of systemic racism and oppression is a requirement.”
While the salary for this position is not disclosed, other DEI public sector jobs have shown to pay generous six-figure salaries.
DEI ideology, which often encompasses affirmative action, critical race theory and gender ideology, has recently been under scrutiny.
In Ontario, a lawsuit alleges that late TDSB Richard Bilkszto committed suicide after he was bullied by a DEI consultant. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court recently found that affirmative action practices employed by colleges and universities were unconstitutional.
The City of London told True North it would not be able to submit a comment in time for publication. The story will be updated if a comment is received at a later time.
