DEI – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

 DEI can be broken down into three pillars. 

Diversity: the presence and participation of individuals with varying backgrounds and perspectives, including those who have been traditionally underrepresented. 

Equity: equal access to opportunities and fair, just, and impartial treatment. 

Inclusion: a sense of belonging in an environment where all feel welcomed, accepted, and respected.

DEI is a lofty, worthy goal: the idea that everyone, no matter their identities and backgrounds, should have a seat at the table, be treated well, and feel like they belong and are worthy of respect and acceptance.

DEI can mean a great many things.  DEI gave women the right to vote (inclusion). DEI also means that the person most qualified is hired, instead of a mediocre white man with connections. It might be a Person of Colour, a woman, a member of the LGBTQ+ community or a combination of all three. It might even be a white man.

The Right have tried to turn the meaning on its head as Orwell illustrated in 1984 - "War is Peace". They claim a DEI Hire is a person who was not qualified but hired because they were Black.  Republicans called Kamala Harris a DEI Hire as a derogatory slur. Actually, it was true because she was the most qualified for all the positions she held (and IMHO for president as well).  Trump’s cabinet is what happens when the most qualified are fired and replaced with mediocre white men.  

After taking office, Trump issued at least 90 Executive Orders shutting down DEI programs, calling them wasteful and radical. His criteria for hiring were NOT ability to do the job but absolute loyalty to himself. Pete Kegseth fired every Black person in the military and replaced them with far less qualified white men. The top militsary brass are not well qualified and place USA in some danger. 

The modern anti-DEI backlash is really about resegregation and white supremacy.