> AA introduces this doubt

Maybe. Every once in a while we have someone I consider an AA-only hire, but they don't stick around. OK, I'll be honest, the most recent one I was wrong - even though they lacked experience, they were clearly better than the (white male) person they replaced... and they're still here so I'm happy.

I'm going to imagine a world without "AA hires". I think people still get judged based on their skin color. That's the way rascism works.

So, damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Anyway, when an incompetent colleague sticks around for years... I wish I could blame affirmative action and feel good, but nope - instead I'm going to blame management.