CURTAILING INSTITUTIONAL RACISM: Tulane gave ‘priority’ to ‘Black’ and ‘People of Color’ job applicants. It doesn’t anymore.

A recent listing for a teaching-assistant position at Tulane University appeared to prioritize certain applicants explicitly on the basis of their race or ethnicity.

The job description for “Teaching Assistant for ‘The Arts and Social Impact’” originally stated that “priority will be given to BIPOC applicants.” The acronym “BIPOC” refers to “Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color.”

When contacted by Campus Reform, Tulane University backtracked and removed the language stating that priority for the position “will be given to BIPOC applicants.”

The Executive Director of Public Relations for Tulane University, Michael Strecker, told Campus Reform, “We have removed the phrase from the advertisement for the teaching assistant position you referenced below.”

“As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Tulane University does not discriminate on the basis of protected classifications (such as race, color, or any other classification protected by applicable law) in its programs, activities, or employment.”

The description states that the job is intended for “somebody who has interest in arts practices, community organizing/engagement, education, policy, and activism.”

Next question: Why does this position exist at all?