I think private business should be left to hire those they feel are best qualified to fill open positions. Sort of makes those already working at their companies at least attempt to be better/more qualified workers, in the hopes of getting advancement, than seeing the futility of doing so, knowing they're "out" at the start because they don't have the right skin color or sex.
"I think private business should be left to hire those they feel are best qualified to fill open positions."
Of course they should.
But I can see arguments for wanting diversity in a company. In Atlanta a law firm is likely to have so well off black clients - in the Southwest I can see where having some Latino lawyers might help present a better face to Latino clients.
In the computer hardware industry it's very helpful to have people who are native Chinese speakers.