Pfizer is offering a fellowship exclusively to students of black, Latino and Native American descent — prompting attorneys to blast the company for discrimination while predicting that it would not survive any legal challenges.
The Pfizer “Breakthrough Fellowship” is described by the pharmaceutical giant as a “first of its kind” program that will work to “advance students and early career colleagues of Black/African, Latino / Hispanic, and Native American descent.”
The company fellowship is aiming to “develop” 100 fellows by 2025 as part of its mission to “increase diversity by fostering a more inclusive workplace” while “cultivat[ing] a pipeline of diverse talent.”
Those who are not from the minority groups specified by the fellowship requirements can apply to “multiple programs and opportunities throughout the year,” including an “assistance program” for MBA or MPH students.
But lawyers quoted by the Washington Free Beacon say that Pfizer is engaging in blatant discrimination.
The fellowship is open only to students who are African American, Native American and Hispanic. Zilber, Ariel“This Pfizer program is so flagrantly illegal I seriously wonder how it passed internal review by its general counsel,” said attorney Adam Mortara.
Gail Heriot, a law professor at the University of San Diego who is also a member of the US Commission on Civil Rights, told the Free Beacon that Pfizer is violating federal law that bans racial discrimination.
Attorneys say Pfizer’s fellowship is a clear-cut case of racial discrimination. AFP via Getty ImagesHeriot said the fellowship program represents a “clear case of liability.”
“Major corporations seem to have forgotten that there’s such a thing as law,” said Heriot.
“They seem to think that as long as they’re woke, they’re bulletproof.”
David Bernstein, a professor on civil rights law at George Mason University School of Law, said Pfizer’s fellowship was “obviously illegal.”
The Post has sought comment from Pfizer.
