It should be devoutly wished that the many predictions that the so-called diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) movement will soon pass from the American scene are not premature. DEI is an umbrella term for policies ostensibly designed to create more employment, educational, and business opportunities for minorities. But for years, DEI programs have actually resulted in reverse discrimination by favoring minorities at the expense of non-minorities.
Although nothing is certain, DEI seems to be collapsing as more employers are disavowing DEI initiatives under the weight of their fundamental unfairness, the anticipation that President-elect Trump will follow through on his vow to end federally funded diversity programs, and a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 that struck down affirmative action in college admissions.
Spurred on by George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020, countless companies voluntarily pledged to support diversity efforts which were loosely modeled after the old affirmative action programs, but then also took them to the next level. Job applicants were now increasingly required to fill out a “diversity statement” detailing how they planned to implement their diversity commitments. Special diversity departments were also set up to monitor progress in meeting diversity goals.
As would be expected, President Biden is a big fan of DEI and signed executive orders that required all federal government executive branch agencies to set up an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or its equivalent, along with special teams to monitor DEI progress.
So, the DEI controversy is yet another example of how America dodged a bullet by choosing Donald Trump over Kamala Harris on November 5.
However, while the list of companies and institutions abandoning their voluntary DEI programs continues to grow, there are many that have not wavered and show no signs of doing so.
In the final analysis, though, we believe that most Americans will come to reject the notion that it okay to base societal decisions on anything other than objective criteria and merit.
