I was recently forwarded an academic job announcement that began with the following preliminary note:

I am writing to you because I hope you will bring the job advertisement below to the attention of qualified women and minorities who work in 18th and 19th century history of philosophy.

Sheesh, that might as well say: “Don’t bother forwarding this announcement to white males; we’re not interested in them, no matter how qualified they are.” The note definitely says more than the standard boilerplate at the end of job announcements to the effect that women and minorities are encouraged to apply. I still object to that version, particularly since it reflects academia’s now-standard reverse racism and sexism in hiring. Still, it doesn’t convey the impression that white males are unwelcome, as the above note does.

Oh, but just imagine the uproar that this version would create: “I am writing to you because I hope you will bring the job advertisement below to the attention of qualified white males who work in 18th and 19th century history of philosophy.”