> does it really matter or make any real 'difference'? the answer from the various underrepresented identity groups themselves is abundantly clear. it's yes.

> does it really matter or make any real 'difference'? the answer from the various underrepresented identity groups themselves is abundantly clear. it's yes. they insist that, yes, absolutely it definitely does make a critically important difference to have an actual person from the actual underrepresented identity group in those jobs. they say that only such a person could have fully experienced the kind of opportunity denial, the kind of repression, the kind of discrimination that such corporate measures are supposed to address. they say that such a person and only such a person can truly and faithfully represent the perspectives and needs of that identity group within the corporate setting. they say that only such a person in that job can truly open the door so that other young people, other potential future employees, from that group have the confidence to pursue such a job in the future. (could an openly gay man ever lead a Fortune 500 US corporation? in theory, yes, but it was still an important step for Tim Cook to step out into the open https://www.cultofmac.com/585278/tim-cook-interview-gay-privacy/ https://www.cultofmac.com/585278/tim-cook-interview-gay-priv...)