Practicing Discrimination, or Affirmative Inaction.

Though I find it ultimately disheartening that we, as a culture, still struggle to find equity in treatment, I am hopeful that true balance can be achieved without the use of quotas or other mandates. I have long felt that these systems are far more damaging in application than one would assume in theory.
Perhaps too idyllic I know, but I still believe that there are ways to select the absolute best candidate while remaining blind of gender, race, et al. 
After all, what is the practice of quota hiring or the more familiar “affirmative action”, if not discrimination? Consider the following definition of the term:

“Treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit”

As long as we continue to promote any system that places emphasis or consideration on race, gender, or religion we will never truly rid ourselves of this particularly distasteful practice.
It is my further belief that in many instances, the quota system is based upon faulty logic. Regarding gender discrimination specifically, in some instances the numbers do not tell the complete story. Certain industries may be dominated at one level by a certain gender, while the reverse is true in higher ranks. However, closer inspection may reveal that the pool of individuals seeking to promote or take on additional responsibility offer a gender presentation more in line with the next level. Often this is dependent upon the demands of the next position and requirements such as relocation, for example. 

Some industries lend themselves more readily to secondary income employees to fill the ranks, as it were. These individuals, often are motivated by schedule, flexibility and benefits, versus the financial focus of those approaching a field from a primary breadwinner perspective.
Granted this does not apply across the board, but it is for reasons such as this that I feel quotas, while representing society as a whole, may not necessarily accurately represent the business workforce. Additionally, one can easily see how this system may not only preclude the promotion of the best candidate, but potentially empower an unqualified choice. I would argue that this possibility alone should discount the merit of this so-called “equal opportunity” system.
Though I believe we have seen progress in these issues in recent years, I am aware we still have ground to cover. It is with sincere hope for progress that I approach the coming years. Ironically enough, I am still looking for "change we can all believe in."