I am a very cynical person lol.
Moreover, I think that if you’re deriving your sense of pride & dignity from what legislators and college/job hiring/admissions committees think of you, you’ve already made several big mistakes.
I’d even go so far as to say that I feel a greater sense of pride for having figured out how to use the existing systems to my benefit.
They’re trained on handouts, and getting freebies is the “win”.
These aren’t derived from what others think. Dignity and Sense of Accomplishment are internal.
But when these types of criteria are placed on hiring, it creates doubt of whether or not a person was hired or kept their job on the value of their own work and abilities.
I’m not going to argue with a barely past 20 year old gay kid over this. You don’t have the life experience or understanding of internal dynamics to hold your own in deeper subjects like this.
So am I, so I assume it’s safe to believe you are not competent without offending you.
I would bet that more often than not, those doubts are eventually confirmed.
. Maybe. I’ve never had the benefit of those types of policies.
I’ve worked with some. Well, we were employed by the same employer but I worked.
I’m just waiting to find out what a bigoted boomer, m’r f’n what ever else I am for brushing up against somebodys dignity and sense of accomplishment. 
Handouts of what specifically?
Are they imaginary?
Too bad life isn’t fair.
Who ever said it was supposed to be?
Biggest misconception of the past century.
Is this the broken plow game?
Is this the dog whistle game?
I love this one!
Suit yourself 
For what it’s worth, I’m not a huge fan of affirmative action/DEI in the first place, like I said here a while back:
I‘ve heard the argument you’re making several times before, and I just don’t put much stock in it. Maybe you’re right, and it is a life-experience thing, but from where I’m standing, the potential loss of pride/dignity is a non-factor compared to the benefits that the target of a DEI program can reap, and it would be unreasonable to expect them to oppose a program that provides them such benefits.
“That which can be asserted without evidence…”
Just enjoy the free cornbread.
I’m not really a bigoted boomer either. I just like to shit test people.
Truth be told, I actually have a great deal of respect for your accomplishments and what I know of you. 
I hope your offspring don’t turn out as a bigot like you are, coward.
Still haven’t answered:
Awright, I will be the liberal to weigh in here with a voice of reason (lol).
DEI is intended to balance the playing field for years of institutional racism.
“What?” you might say. Institutional racism - we elected a Black President, ain’t no racism in this here hood.
I’m just going to explain it to you Crackers - I am not saying it’s true.
Did your grandparents own a home? Mine did. And when they passed, the equity in their home went to my parents and will eventually come to me.
Let’s say my grandparents bought their home in 1940 when there was redlining, no Blacks, and banks would not loan money to Blacks.
So my grandparents had let’s say $40K in equity when they passed in 1980 - that went to my parents. Forty years later, assuming 7% interest, that $40k has doubled every ten years. So $40k became $80K in 1990, became $160K in 2000, became $320K in 2010, became $640K in 2024.
Same family but Black in 1940, can’t buy a home because they are Black - that family is out $640K.
There are several other examples of institutional racism including welfare for single mothers.
Eventually, it balances out. I believe my son got an interview at several schools precisely because he was white. I also believe he did not get into a few schools because he is white.
So, to coin a phrase of our favorite Rate my Physique poster, you control the narrative.
Irony?