"At the end of the day, I believe that by the time all these intersectional categories get carved out, we are each in a minority of one."
Exactly, which is what makes the idea of the "right kind of diversity" so insidious and absurd. Many excellent insights in this piece. It speaks to me, is well-reasoned, thoughtful, and genuine. A human being wrote it. What more could a hypothetical DEI committee want from a member of its faculty? We know what more, unfortunately. But in reality, with a few tweaks, I could adopt it as my own alternative DEI statement.
There are so many good things in this article. Thank you for writing it. I hope you will find courage in knowing that you are not alone in recognizing the danger of DEI ideology.
This statement is fantastic! I am a faculty member at a university and my department requires diversity statements, which I am very much opposed to for the precise reasons indicated (they were not required when I started as an assistant professor). I would like to move elsewhere, but I am stuck because I would be forced to submit a diversity statement that I don't believe in, if I applied to another university. I refuse to do that based on moral principle (i.e., I'm not going to lie). Yet, like the author, I have a disability--a severe hearing impairment. But, because I'm white, that doesn't count. It's not the right kind of diversity.
This is brilliant. What a horrifying time we live in where the idea of treating every individual with dignity and respect is not only revolutionary but considered a sign of ignorant failure. Thank you for your honesty and laying bare your pain.
Good question. Diversity statements are compelled speech and thus banned by the First Amendment. However, it takes substantial financial resources to challenge each circumstance individually, which is the way it has to be handled.
One recent example with a successful outcome -- in which FAIR was involved with fundraising -- was the case of Gabrielle Clark, who sued Democracy Prep in Las Vegas on behalf of her son, William, at the end of 2020. From the FAIR website: "As part of a required class, William and the other students were compelled to reveal their race, gender, religious, and sexual identities, and attach derogatory labels to those identities. William declined to do so and received a failing grade. He filed a complaint in federal district court, alleging violation of his First Amendment and other civil rights. After the lawsuit was filed, the school expunged William’s failing grade (in April 2021) and allowed him to opt out of the class." A failing grade would have prevented him from graduating from high school.
I tell people that I know a lot of white people that are poor and need help but it goes on deaf ears. I am ok with policies to help the poor and needy regardless of race... but evidently no one wants that...
"At the end of the day, I believe that by the time all these intersectional categories get carved out, we are each in a minority of one."
This author has wonderfully expressed something that has bothered me ever since I heard the concept of intersectionality. As we break down each person into smaller and smaller identity groups, we eventually come down to the fact that each person is a unique individual and to relegate "diversity" to a few broad categories of race, gender, ethnicity, etc. is basically trying to homogenize extremely diverse individuals artificially to advance an agenda, e.g. critical race theory, queer theory.
As such, identity politics is a self-defeating proposition that will implode if left to ideologues.
"At the end of the day, I believe that by the time all these intersectional categories get carved out, we are each in a minority of one."
Exactly, which is what makes the idea of the "right kind of diversity" so insidious and absurd. Many excellent insights in this piece. It speaks to me, is well-reasoned, thoughtful, and genuine. A human being wrote it. What more could a hypothetical DEI committee want from a member of its faculty? We know what more, unfortunately. But in reality, with a few tweaks, I could adopt it as my own alternative DEI statement.
There are so many good things in this article. Thank you for writing it. I hope you will find courage in knowing that you are not alone in recognizing the danger of DEI ideology.
This statement is fantastic! I am a faculty member at a university and my department requires diversity statements, which I am very much opposed to for the precise reasons indicated (they were not required when I started as an assistant professor). I would like to move elsewhere, but I am stuck because I would be forced to submit a diversity statement that I don't believe in, if I applied to another university. I refuse to do that based on moral principle (i.e., I'm not going to lie). Yet, like the author, I have a disability--a severe hearing impairment. But, because I'm white, that doesn't count. It's not the right kind of diversity.
It says a lot that the author feels he needs to remain anonymous.
This is brilliant. What a horrifying time we live in where the idea of treating every individual with dignity and respect is not only revolutionary but considered a sign of ignorant failure. Thank you for your honesty and laying bare your pain.
Why aren’t diversity statements compelled speech banned by judicial precedent?
Good question. Diversity statements are compelled speech and thus banned by the First Amendment. However, it takes substantial financial resources to challenge each circumstance individually, which is the way it has to be handled.
One recent example with a successful outcome -- in which FAIR was involved with fundraising -- was the case of Gabrielle Clark, who sued Democracy Prep in Las Vegas on behalf of her son, William, at the end of 2020. From the FAIR website: "As part of a required class, William and the other students were compelled to reveal their race, gender, religious, and sexual identities, and attach derogatory labels to those identities. William declined to do so and received a failing grade. He filed a complaint in federal district court, alleging violation of his First Amendment and other civil rights. After the lawsuit was filed, the school expunged William’s failing grade (in April 2021) and allowed him to opt out of the class." A failing grade would have prevented him from graduating from high school.
I love this. It's exactly how I feel as well. Thank you for being brave enough to write it.
I tell people that I know a lot of white people that are poor and need help but it goes on deaf ears. I am ok with policies to help the poor and needy regardless of race... but evidently no one wants that...
We should really call DIE ideology
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT, RAW, AND WHAT I TEACH TO YOUTH! Thank YOU for showing and sharing your voice!🧡
Short version - the "cure" is worse than the "disease". All too common.
"At the end of the day, I believe that by the time all these intersectional categories get carved out, we are each in a minority of one."
This author has wonderfully expressed something that has bothered me ever since I heard the concept of intersectionality. As we break down each person into smaller and smaller identity groups, we eventually come down to the fact that each person is a unique individual and to relegate "diversity" to a few broad categories of race, gender, ethnicity, etc. is basically trying to homogenize extremely diverse individuals artificially to advance an agenda, e.g. critical race theory, queer theory.
As such, identity politics is a self-defeating proposition that will implode if left to ideologues.
What was the point of this editorial?