Because the influential groups that care most about "desirable backgrounds" in academia are those promoting DEI. Given that both were women, gender wasn't the

Because the influential groups that care most about "desirable backgrounds" in academia are those promoting DEI. Given that both were women, gender wasn't the deciding factor. And so race becomes the most likely desirable background to matter. Some school systems are very explicit about this. See https://pacificlegal.org/california-globe-university-of-california-retreats-from-unlawful-diversity-statement-mandates/ https://pacificlegal.org/california-globe-university-of-cali... for criticism of the UC schools on this. But as https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/02/04/american-universities-are-hiring-based-on-devotion-to-diversity https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/02/04/american-... makes clear, the trend is happening nationwide.