The crusade against women and minorities that the U.S. government has unleashed since Donald Trump’s inauguration as president is doing incalculable harm to government and public service. The “anti-DEI” campaign is turning into a witch hunt against anyone who has embraced the idea—and government policy until January—that a more representative government is better equipped to address the country’s rapidly expanding challenges. This notion does not contradict the idea of meritocracy but rather is a way of ensuring that institutions and organizations harness additional, untapped talent. Starting in the first Trump administration, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts were launched to ensure that women and minorities have an equal chance to compete for jobs and promotions. Just as tariffs are immensely destructive to American livelihoods and prosperity, the DEI witch hunt, if not quickly halted, will deprive the government of expertise and experience and cause the next generation to shun public service.
The declaration of independence says “all men(and women) are created equal”. We know this is untrue. For example, Donald Trump was born the son of a millionaire, while the majority of Americans are not. Donald Trump’s parents were able to afford to go to send him to private school and get an ivy league education, the majority of Americans cannot. We know that people are born into different advantages and disadvantage. Thanks to the history of slavery, and racism/sexism as a whole, minorities typically start with fewer advantages. Minorites were turned down for promotions, loans, and hiring while the majority reeped the benefits which are passed down to the next generation. “DEI” programs are a way to help level the field, to make everyone more equal. If everyone has the same upbringing and advantages we would not need it. But this is not the case. DEI helped remove systemic disadvantages that minorites face in hiring.
Maybe Trump should’ve served. Then he might have more respect for those of us who VOLUNTEERED, or at least didn’t draft-dodge