When did this great buzzword "diversity" replace fairness? When did diversity become more important than merit? When did diversity become a goal, a value, an end in itself? In defending so-called affirmative action programs, the late Justice Harry Blackmun once wrote: "In order to get beyond racism, we must first take account of race." That is a direct oxymoron. The only way to get beyond racism is to STOP MAKING RACE AN ISSUE.