Diversity schemes for young people - mixed race child.

[Florencesndzebedee]

I have a dc who is currently an undergraduate. I am mixed race, my dh is white. Dc is fair skinned but, through my heritage, also has black heritage (my dad is from the Caribbean).

The landscape is tough at the moment getting work placements/internships but some of these schemes are open to dc of black heritage only. My dc is reluctant to apply as he said he’d feel like a fraud, purely on looks - he looks like he might be Spanish or Greek but has blue eyes. The criteria are quite vague other than under represented people )within the organisation) of black/african /Caribbean heritage. I feel like he is entitled to apply and these schemes would give him more options.

Does anyone have any experience of these particular schemes or how they select?

Title should say young person rather than child as he is an undergrad!

if he meets the criteria then absolutely fine to apply but just check the rules carefully because only one grandparent may or may not qualify depending on the scheme’s rules. That said you need to take any boost you can get!

Have you looked at this? My organisation has participated in the past https://10000internsfoundation.com/our-programmes/

Personally I'd avoid any company or hirer that uses the criteria of skin colour as one of their conditions for hiring. What else are they going to judge about and use going forward. I detest these kinds of people and would avoid like the plague. Yes, he 100% would feel like a fraud. It's sad this is even aloud in 2025.

I see why its morally tricky. The point of these schemes is to counter the racism people experience as a result of the way they look. Its doesn't sound like that's something your son experiences?

It does sound as if the OP's Son is very unlikely to experience the racism that Black people have to endure, hence the reason for these types of opportunities. I don't know if I would advise that he goes for it though. But he would fit the criteria from what the OP has said.

If on reading the small print he qualifies he is perfectly entitled to go for them, but I can see why he is wary - a bit of "reverse racism" (not sure what to actually call it to be honest) so if he doesn't feel it causes him an issue he can absent himself as well. Its really just down to him, he clearly doesn't feel any need though

Well he is of mixed race so does have black heritage. They don't literally judge the legitimacy of your ethic status by how dark your skin is.

So of course he should apply.

If he's unsure about it, best to listen to his feelings here.

If you could talk to someone behind the program or see who's currently on the scheme, it could help make the decision with more information.

I think the way forward is to ask yourself honestly: has he been disadvantaged due to his heritage in the way the scheme seeks to support students who have been disadvantaged?
The answer to that is complex, and can be different for two families with the same mixed heritage. If the answer is yes, you know he has been impacted, then talk to him why and boost his confidence with a clear rationale to explain should he wish to do so when challenged.

It is allowed because for too long people have been overlooked, faced barriers and denied entry into certain jobs, and positions due to the colour of their skin. Be glad that you obviously see no need for these things, as you are not affected!

You mean like white skin being the precondition for lots of employers for centuries??

I've never seen this. Could you provide any evidence of this to get a further understanding of what you're on about. I've had many jobs and not a single one have ever specified anything whatsoever even relating to race or skin colour.

What barriers have they faced? And if they have, you are advocating that this is the right way forward. Surely two wrongs don't make a right and it discriminate against young people who had nothing to do with any of that. Surely today we should be pushing the fact that skin pigmentation plays NO part in job hiring.

This. Jobs etc should be handed out on ability, nothing else.🤷‍♀️

He has Caribbean heritage so if that is what is required then that is what he has. I think he should definitely go for it. This is about widening diversity and about not just having white people in the company, it's not reserved only for those who have experienced a specific amount of god awful racism in their lives. 'Not black enough' is pretty god damn offensive IMO.

I'd encourage him to apply for a couple and see how he feels/how it goes. It could be a fantastic opportunity for him. DS has Asperger's syndrome and was very reluctant to tell anyone when he was applying for things, but actually it got him the perfect place where he really fitted in. He learned a lot about companies from the process and seeing how he was treated. Your son might find the same.

Research confirms that white bias exists in UK hiring practices.

Correct, they should be. That is not what has always happened though is it?

I think it's fair to ask yourself if he's suffered discrimination because of his background as that would affect my decision. And think about general level of privilege. It can be easy for these schemes to look like they are addressing racial problems but really they are picking kids who've had a relatively easy ride in life. Of course those big societal issues aren't something you can fix as a single employer.

The other thing you could think about is is this an employer that has a bit of a narrow set of people it employs and would your son help balance that in some way? Not saying it's his job to, but it might be a reason why he would feel more justified in applying as it would be in the spirit of the scheme.

In any case I salute his sense of fairness and thoughtfulness.

Jobs should be awarded on merit only. Surely that's what we all want ... an even playing field.

I think that these programmes exist is a terrible idea.

And even if you think it’s a good idea in what way do you think he would otherwise be discriminated against - his looks, his name? By your description no-one would even think he had black heritage. Does your conscience think it should go to a child who fits the programme more than your DS?

This is well known. The evidence is already there if @Alicealig cares to do her own research, which no doubt she won't, but will deny that this happens.

The criteria isn't brown skin, it's Carribean heritage which he has.

Is it an even playing field at the moment, has it ever been?

I think it is a very personal decision. I agree with the pp who suggests that he should reflect honestly on whether or not he feels that he has been disadvantaged by his heritage. If he feels that he has, then I see no harm in him applying for the scheme, assuming that he fits the criteria. If, however, he doesn't really believe that he has been disadvantaged in any significant way, then he should probably leave the place for someone who genuinely needs that step up simply in order to compete on a level playing field with everyone else. I don't think strangers on the Internet will be in a position to judge this.

My gut response is that, if it feels wrong to him to take advantage of the scheme, then it probably is wrong. But you may have a different perspective, as obviously, the disadvantages that someone can face are not always immediately obvious.