Education and Earnings

In response to “Schooling Doesn’t Close Minority Earning Gap,” Jan. 10:

I must say, was anyone really surprised by the revelation?

I am a 29-year-old African-American male with a degree from one of the top business schools in the country; yes, even in 1993, minorities still must be far better qualified to even get the job, let alone think about being promoted.

Let’s face it--the notion that compensation is based solely upon ability and performance is at best a myth, at worst a lie. In most cases, the one who gets the job or promotion, is the one who looks and acts like the boss. And, as I look around the board rooms of America, “there ain’t very many folks who look like me.”

When we can resolve the problem of there being too few minorities in “positions of power,” which enable them to hire, promote and fire, then other job-related discrimination problems, such as inequitable compensation, will cease.

Now, more than ever, both the nation and business must find a way to fully maximize our greatest asset--our diversity--if we are to continue being a factor in the global society and economy. I, as I believe most minorities do, look toward the Clinton Administration to lead, in particular business, by setting a precedence. The appointment of Ron Brown as secretary of commerce is a very good first step.

TRACY R. HILL

Sherman Oaks