Part 3/9:
Critics argued that Kirk's comments were racially insensitive, possibly racist. However, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, racism involves prejudice or discrimination based on the belief that some races are inherently superior or inferior. Out of context, Kirk's statement could sound prejudiced, but in context, it was a critique of affirmative action policies and their impact. Importantly, Kirk was not claiming that the Black women were unqualified because of their race; he suggested that they might have benefited from policies intended to promote racial equity, raising questions about merit and fairness.