Douglas, we can encourage women and minorities to excel by shutting down the chronic systemic racism that limits their opportunities. 

Failing to take action to correct the imbalances in the system will have the opposite effect. We know this because historically, it has had the opposite effect. Note the current lack of women and minorities in our academic institutions. The old ways are obviously not working, it's time for change.

I'm unclear on what it is in my comment that you think was "unnecessary" or "ignorant". Care to elaborate?