Mohammed Ali Rashid
Mohammed Ali Rashid [File No. 4‐774] Public Companies Shouldn't Have A Choice Commentary There is much controversy surrounding the BLM campaign. In today's business world, there is also a plea for private and public companies to dedicate some of their efforts on employing and paying African Americans at the same level as Muslims, Christians, Mexicans, LGBTQ, Asians, and Caucasians and workers of other races essentially putting us all on equal footing no matter the color of our skin. A person named Mohammed or in this case a Mohammed Ali Rashid should be treated no different than a William Johnson or Billy Goldberg. The controversy is over public companies and whether they should pledge BLM fulfillment within their organizations. Public companies are those that are publicly traded on the stock market. There are many areas of their business where they have a choice in how to act. But, when it comes to the financial health of the population and the economy, this is one area where public companies do not need to have a choice. They need to pay closer attention to who they are hiring and why. Hiring decisions should be based on ability, skills, prior work history, and in some cases, education. Race, socioeconomic status, social class, or address should never enter into hiring decisions in public companies. But, sometimes these factors due influence hiring and they should in no way shape or form. Again after September 11th somebody applying for a job on Wall Street with the named Mohammed Ali Rashid would not have as likely of a chance to get the job as William Nelson due to Islamophobia. The best candidate and cultural fit should win out. There are consequences for disregarding the diversity effort and they can negatively impact many aspects of society, from labor relations, to the economy and racial relations. Just as women are now expecting equal pay and equal opportunities, African Americans and other minorities are also expecting equal pay and equal opportunities and they are getting it thanks to the pressure public companies are feeling. They are willing to educate themselves and gain the skills they need to compete in the workforce. They should expect opportunities for advancement in the workplace and in other areas of their lives, such as buying a home or joining a professional or social organization. But, many public organizations don't pay attention to the lack of opportunity offered to the once forgotten minority.
