1 definition by Logical_ID
NBA paradox references the paradoxical notion that any disparity in a organization's racial composition is the result of systemic racism and/or discriminatory practices. This is the underlying justification for affirmative action and selective, race-based scholarships, grants ect.. An example would be: Because there are proportionally less African American Neurosurgeons than White Neurosurgeons, there must be some form of discrimination preventing African Americans from becoming Neurosurgeons, and to correct this injustice, we should target and support recruiting-efforts for African American Neurosurgeons. The paradox is to look at organizations that are disproportionately African American, such as the NBA. No one believes that discrimination prevents Whites from playing in the NBA, and most conclude that the disparity is due to African Americans having greater skill in this area. But accepting this idea is to also accept that disparities across race can be due to legitimate differences in skill, which are race-dependent. This conflicts with the dogma described above and is a paradox. This paradox is also sometimes used to reference the fact that most of those calling for change in racial-disparities through the active discrimination of other races, are usually serving their own race or will not be affected by the discrimination.
The NBA paradox tells us why constantly trying to socially-correct racial disparities can lead to real discrimination.
by Logical_ID August 21, 2018