E Pluribus Unum
In June, Senator JD Vance (R-OH) and Congressman Michael Cloud (R-TX), along with co-sponsors Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), and fifteen members of the U.S. House of Representatives, introduced the Dismantle DEI Act to eliminate all federal DEI programs and funding for federal agencies, contractors which receive federal funding, organizations which receive federal grants, and educational accreditation agencies. If the Dismantle DEI Act of 2024 becomes law, it would effectively close all federal DEI offices and eliminate federal DEI programs at all public schools and many private sector and nonprofit organizations.
Lately – maybe over the last three years or so, I’ve read or heard an increasing amount of disparagement in regards to DEI. Even from people I’m close to. Even by those who advocate for racial equity, as though America can have racial equity without diversity.
Let’s break it down.
Diversity: It seems to be the latest band wagon to jump on even though it’s our national motto. Even though we used to brag about being a proud melting pot for the world. Remember those days? Think back. When was the last time you heard America being proudly described as a melting pot?
Acknowledging and honoring the American value of diversity has been America’s official national motto for 72 years and our unofficial motto for 242 years. Well, both sides of the aisle now have something to agree on. DEI is somehow a bad thing. As an American who fought a war and then spent a career protecting America’s public lands, I can’t wrap my head around that the ‘D’ part of DEI is somehow an unAmerican bad thing.
Equity: According to Webster’s, Equity refers to fairness or justice in the way people are treated, and especially freedom from bias or favoritism, as in “governed according to the principle of equity.”
Equality refers to the quality or state of having the same rights and opportunities, as in “women’s struggle for equality.”
“All men (women, and children) are created equal.” Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence. Like the word and concept of Diversity, Equity would seem to be an American value.
Inclusion: I can’t figure out the downside of creating an environment where everybody feels valued and inclusive.
According to Pew Research, about two-thirds or more of Black (78%), Asian (72%) and Hispanic (65%) workers say that focusing on DEI at work is a good thing. Among White workers, however, fewer than half (47%) say it’s a good thing; in fact, 21% say it’s a bad thing. As far as I can recall, everyone that I’ve heard or read that called DEI a bad thing or a thing they did not support was White.
But if you’re confused about the terrible badness of DEI, here’s congressman Cloud to explain it to you. “DEI programs masquerade as fairness while instead fostering Division, Inefficiency, and Discrimination in our institutions. They waste taxpayer dollars and undermine the merit-based principles that have made America strong. The Dismantle DEI Act takes aim at this harmful ideology and will root it out of our government, ensuring our institutions focus on the mission of serving the American people efficiently and effectively."
So now you know. DEI fosters DID. Who knew? Evidently Congresswomen Jasmine Crockett (of Bleach blond, bad built, butch body fame) and Summer Lee knew.
They both had a lot to say about it, and they for sure did not hold back. I’ve spent a ton of time and words to describe how America’s Thing With Race is bad for Americans. All Americans. But if you’re tired of my schtick, it is well worth listening to these two strong, brilliant, and articulate women. It’s also a considerable amount of fun. Grab a coffee or a cocktail (Um…coffee in the morning, a cocktail in the evening. Or a little Irish whiskey in your morning coffee works…I’m told!) sit back, enjoy, and learn. It's the Jasmine and Summer show! Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket is from about .20 – 5:23 and Congresswoman Summer Lee is from 5:36 – 10:04.
Sources
https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/equality-vs-equity-difference
Shameful suppression by MAGA puppets. More power to these eloquent and intelligent women.