Left-handers shut out of CERC appointments

Where are the critics on this one?

The week before last, 19 men were recruited from around the world for prestigious research positions at Canadian universities, and gender-equality advocates called foul.

But rumour has it that another disadvantaged group was unrepresented by these latest CERC appointments:     left-handers.

Unbelievable, eh? If you feel your blood pressure rising, take a moment—maybe a walk—then read on.

An anonymous source has tipped me off to this latest injustice. Although I can’t verify that discrimination was the reason for the omission, I’m going to go ahead and say that it was anyway (makes for a better headline). The move is a huge setback for Canadian left-handers, who say hiring practices need to take a step in the “left direction.”

Related Posts

Inside the student-led movements urging Canadian universities to divest from fossil fuels

University students across Canada are frustrated by the slow pace of halting dangerous climate change, and they are wielding their power to do something about it

Five basic kitchen supplies every student should have

You don’t need a Le Creuset Dutch oven to whip up a delicious meal for one (or, say, eight). A few key items are enough to launch your cooking career—and some of them may even last you a lifetime.

A panel was appointed to investigate the hires, and found that the lack of women appointed by CERC was due to the fact that universities didn’t actually submit female candidates for selection. (Still awaiting word on the left-handed imbalance.)

In any case, The Man the men at CERC need to get their priorities straight. When will they learn that qualifications and expertise should come second to outward appearance and dominant hand tendencies?

Left-handers have had to deal with bigotry and smeared writing for far too long. I say, bring on preferential hiring, exclusive scholarship opportunities, and group favouritism. Hiring "the best one for the job” is a dated idea, and frankly, a symptom of narrow-minded fanaticism.