Diversity, equity and inclusion has increasingly been coming under scrutiny by President Donald Trump’s administration, terminating former President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.” In the wake of the removal, many businesses and schools no longer provide DEI training and education to their employees.
The official White House website calls the programs a “public waste and shameful discrimination.” But, DEI programs are meant to do the exact opposite; DEI is the generic label given to the wide-ranging efforts that help ensure people of all backgrounds and abilities, specifically minority groups, have equal opportunities as their majority counterparts.
Despite narratives being pushed by the federal government, DEI programs are beneficial for everyone. Without knowing, everyone benefits from DEI initiatives throughout their daily life. DEI makes sure that as a woman you get paid the same as a man doing the same job. In the same realm, it makes sure that you can’t be fired from a job based on your age, race, or sexuality. DEI is the reason why your building has a ramp beside the stairs, and an elevator, so those in wheelchairs can access the same spaces. While these are only a few examples, there are so many ways that each and every person in the U.S. benefits from DEI initiatives.
DEI programs in public schools ensure that every student has a fair chance to succeed. DEI aims to create learning environments that embrace and represent multiple different identities and perspectives. The role of DEI teachings is to build a more globally connected educational system that develops empathetic, diverse thinkers and allows students to not only recognize, but appreciate our increasingly diverse world.
Without DEI, we would not have special education programs, a crucial reason many students make it to graduation. With the introduction of programs like special education, the graduation rate for students with disabilities is 70.6% in the 2019-2020 school year, compared to 64.6% five years prior, according to Disability compliance for Higher Ed and a report by John Hopkins University. Beyond special education programs, it makes sure that students have role models in their schools; DEI in hiring practices helps ensure that teachers of all racial and cultural backgrounds are considered. In higher education, DEI programs help underrepresented groups, like making sure that everyone has equal opportunities. At Ithaca College, there are groups like the MLK scholars, and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation that lift up groups that systematically have fewer opportunities.
Diversity, equity and inclusion is not some scary concept coming to take away your rights, despite what some people may say. DEI in public schools is a necessity. Without it, our children may become sheltered. They need to see different types of people in real world contexts, not just on a screen. DEI teaches empathy, something that our country is currently greatly lacking.
