There’s a lot of discussion these days about diversity, equity and inclusivity in workplaces, schools and civic organizations. What exactly is it?
Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) is a term used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals, including people of different ages, races and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientations.
Sounds innocuous, right? But there is an underbelly to the DEI philosophy that is toxic. DEI is pure identity politics and often masks itself as Critical Race Theory.
Let’s put the three components of this Marxist philosophy under a microscope:
Diversity
Diversity in any environment is a good thing, though it’s better if diversity occurs naturally based on needs, abilities and interests.
There is no country on earth with a more diverse populace than America, hence our enviable reputation as a melting pot. Our diversity makes us unique, but it’s not diversity alone that makes America exceptional. What makes America special is a diverse population who believe in American ideals like freedom, capitalism and the right to worship (or not) as we please.
Diversity is the chassis, but it is citizens pulling together in common cause that is the engine that makes America go. United we stand, divided we fall. DEI divides and separates us, assigning people to specific boxes.
The focus on emphasizing individual differences, without including a meaningful cause and purpose (not just based on feelings but tangible results), is like a traffic jam with a cacophony of blaring horns and angry shouts where every driver insists, they have the right-of-way.
The Biden administration is very diverse and has checked a lot of the identity politics boxes, but because it works against the American ideal of freedom and merit, this administration is hopelessly incompetent and ineffective because it lacks a proper foundation.
Like Make America Great.
Equity
There has been a concerted effort in recent years to swap the word “equity” for “equality.” Equity is to equality what prunes are to prudent. Those unsure of the difference probably believe in unicorns and magic rainbows.
“Equality” is the pursuit of equal opportunity. “Equity” is a fairytale promising equal outcomes. Try as it may, the government cannot legislate equal outcomes (nor should it), but it has and should support laws guaranteeing equal opportunities.
Last year American Airlines announced plans to hire and train more female and minority pilots. Okay. But what happens if a desired number of female pilots qualify and earn their wings, but there aren’t enough females of a certain minority group to check a specific box? Or, what if there aren’t enough transgender Asian males transitioning to female pilots who even apply?
You think flight cancellations have been bad under the Biden administration to date, just wait until American or Delta cancels future flights because they don’t have enough Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander cross dressing female pilots to make their quota.
Inclusivity
Merriam-Webster defines inclusive as “including everyone – especially allowing and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability.”)
It’s always amusing that the people who claim to favor inclusivity stubbornly exclude people with whom they disagree. Greg Gutfeld termed such people the “Intolerati.” Their tolerance and inclusive natures only apply as long as you agree with them. If you disagree, you are excluded from Camp Inclusive.
This three-legged stool of diversity, equity and inclusivity has its roots not in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights or the Declaration of Independence, but in Marxism. Divide people by gender, race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation, prey on raw emotions of unfairness and grievance, and DIE advocates have willfully traded objective facts for subjective feelings.
They’re like a dog chasing its tail.
Isn’t it ironic that “diversity” in DIE excludes diverse thinking and opinions? Isn’t it sad that fairytale equity has supplanted the sweat equity of hard work and diligence? Isn’t it pathetic that “inclusivity” focuses on grievances and gripes rather than gratitude and greatness?
Those of us over age 40 remember The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That has worked well for over two millennia.
Replacing The Golden Rule with a humanistic ideal that separates rather than unifies is comparable to using a low flow toilet that has to be flushed twice to work properly. What’s the point?
Thanks for reading Dean Riffs. Welcome to all those who love American liberty, free enterprise, and who believe God has blessed our country.
Copyright 2022, Dean A. George©
