by G.C.
Social justice progressives, also known as democratic socialists, have a fondness for manipulating language. They especially like to think that if you say something one way, it’s different from saying it another way. DEI, although it’s an acronym, suffers from this problem.
Progressives regularly call conservatives, meaning Republicans, racists, yet they push DEI as a social panacea. In the hands of these socialists, DEI is the justification of race-based criteria to “diversify” a workforce by prioritizing “people of color” over white people. Is that not racism?
Racism vs. Racial Preferences
It’s not difficult to argue that racism and racial preferences are the same. Here’s my take.
First, DEI elevates a person’s group identity over individual merit, qualifications, or capability. As such, hiring and promotion are not based on meritocratic principles; they are based on immutable qualities of a person’s skin color. Doesn’t that seem highly illogical, considering that success in any field requires education, experience, skill, wisdom, and maturity, and little else?
Second, DEI programs are discriminatory and attempt to correct past discrimination by disadvantaging other groups, particularly White Americans. This discrimination unintentionally leads to the hiring of unqualified individuals to meet diversity quotas.
Third, DEI does not encourage diversity of thought or political beliefs. DEI instead leads to an ideological orthodoxy that vilifies or silences conservative viewpoints in workplaces and universities.
Since its inception and application across the country, in both the government and private sectors, DEI has led to the following:
Victimhood mentality: DEI has led to and has fostered a “mindset of victimhood.” This has in turn led to a reduced sense of personal accomplishment among young minorities—”You got the job because of the color of your skin and not because of your mind, skills, or experience.”
Psychological stress: An overemphasis on identity politics in DEI has led to emotional stress and mental strain by pressuring people to conform to specific group identities.
In Conclusion
The bottom line for me is this. When asked if systemic racism is real, I say yes. It’s called DEI.