> Merit is the right value, but unfortunately too many people tend to see more merit in white men no matter their actual skill set.

Wow. Talk about 'blowing and sucking' at the same time. 

Looking at this, one can see a push within universities to get people 'of the right groups' through their Masters and PhD's even if, maybe, there might be other qualified candidates to choose from. 

So your version of 'Merit' involves first looking at a person's race/gender/ethnic background and then what qualifications they have.

Welcome to the wonderful world of 'Equality' -- Or should that be 'Equity'?