Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: There’s More Than Meets the Eye to DEI

There has been much debate and controversy over DEI policies in schools, businesses, and the government lately. In theory, at least, it may seem like a good idea to encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion – but what does it really mean, and how does it really work?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The D in DEI is for diversity. Outside of politics, diversity simply means differences. Race, gender, age, religion, ability or disability, social and economic status, veteran status, marital status, and even personal opinions in general are all things that can make people different from each other. The theory behind the D part of DEI is that these differences should be accepted and embraced, not feared or hated.

The E stands for equity, which, at its simplest, means treating everyone fairly. But it’s important to note that it’s equity, not equality. So, what’s the difference? Equality means treating everyone the same regardless of their differences, while equity means treating people differently based on their circumstances to try to ensure an equal outcome.

Inclusion, the I in DEI, means making sure everyone is included and feels welcomed regardless of any perceived differences. It’s true that everyone is different, and the idea that everyone should be accepted, included, and treated fairly regardless of those differences is noble. In a perfect world, differences don’t matter. But this world is far from perfect, and some people do hate or fear others who are different. This prejudice leads to discrimination – and discrimination can and has in the past led to far worse things, like slavery and genocide.

Even without considering such extremes, however, discrimination based on these identity traits remains a very real problem, even in America, where the US Constitution ensures that everyone is treated equally under the law. Accepting peoples’ differences and making sure not to mistreat anyone or exclude them simply for being different is a good policy to have, both personally and professionally, it is possible to over correct – and even the best intentions can be twisted.

The Dark Side of DEI

For many years, there was a policy in the US called affirmative action. This DEI policy sought to overcome racism by setting quotas for minorities in schools, the government, and the corporate world. This, however, led to another type of discrimination. In order to avoid looking too white or too male, many companies and even government agencies passed over well qualified white men to make sure and hire women or people of color, even if they weren’t always as qualified for the position. In schools – especially universities – it became easier to win acceptance as a minority person. In other words, people were still being discriminated against for their race, gender, and other identifying traits.

Affirmative action came from the best of intentions, but instead of safeguarding against discrimination, it actually led to it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. There are those who don’t consider it discrimination if the victim isn’t a member of a minority. Some believe you can’t be racist against white people or sexist against men. In many schools, for example, students are taught that all white people – but especially males – are oppressing minorities whether they mean to or not.

That is why so many conservatives are against DEI policies. It isn’t because they hate people who are different, as many progressives claim. They hope for actual equality – which means not treating people differently and certainly not teaching that white people oppress people of color simply by existing.

1. DEI – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion – policies seek to prevent discrimination and make sure everyone is treated fairly, but they are easily corrupted and taken too far, creating discrimination instead of ending it.
2. Discriminating against the majority isn’t any better than discriminating against a minority, and that is why conservatives who believe in true equality don’t like most DEI programs.
3. DEI became big in schools, the government, and the corporate world.