Final answer:
According to weak affirmative action principles, when facing two equally qualified candidates with the only difference being race, one should hire the person of color to counteract historical discrimination and promote diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When two candidates are equally qualified for a position, and the only difference is race, weak affirmative action suggests giving preference to the candidate who is a person of color, to counteract the effects of historical discrimination and to promote workplace diversity. Thus, according to weak affirmative action principles, the best decision would be option 2) Hire the person of color candidate. This approach does not diminish merit but rather acknowledges systemic advantages and disparities that have affected the employment opportunities for underrepresented groups.