I understand that liberals/progressives support DEI programs and that conservatives attack them, but I haven’t followed this culture war that closely. I think the battle affected the presidential election.
I hope I don’t make myself look too ignorant about an important issue, but it seems that there is a distinction between what is being attacked and what conservatives actually object to. I wonder if conservatives value practicing these things, though they may define them differently than liberals and progressives. Could it be that they just don’t like making the programs mandatory?
Speaking only for myself, I don’t like being coerced, but I value diverse opinions and backgrounds, treating people equally when I can and being treated equally, and to include people. I think anyone who looks at my work would see so.
If so, there would seem to be common ground, or at least potential for it. Are DEI programs mandated, and if so, do they have to be? If they are inherently valuable, create valuable outcomes, or both, why should they by mandated? That is, if they help people, shouldn’t they appeal to people and organizations enough that they need not be mandated?
I won’t feel bad if I missed something and someone lets me know what. It just looks to me like two groups are attacking each other without seeing that they don’t oppose what they are attacking, but something adjacent. According to my read, the two groups could reduce their acrimony and achieve their goals without antagonizing the other, or preventing the other from reaching its goal.
I think mandated DEI is necessary until systemic racism is no more. The right often looks at DEI as less qualified hires. I think properly used DEI means the same or or higher qualifications while ensuring a fair distribution of too often overlooked people.
I appreciate your view. Mine sounded similar for a while, though I’m less sure now. Still, I think the difference in liking versus despising is an example of The Worst Problem in the World, which I haven’t written about in over a decade, but I consider a key way of understanding conflict. I should have mentioned it in the post.