“Diversity, equity, and inclusion policies seek to bridge disparities by lifting “minority and oppressed” members of society and providing them with more opportunities to succeed. However, the reality is that these individuals are not elevated to certain roles. Instead, the qualities and requirements necessary for those positions are lowered to their level to meet a particular quota.”
As part of an assigned reading for Writing 150, I came across this passage in the textbook regarding diversity: “Publishing has a diversity problem. This problem extends to absolutely every area of the industry. I mean, look at this room, where I can literally count the number of people of color among some 700 booksellers. There are not enough writers of color being published.”
Upon reading this passage, I felt the familiar buzz of annoyance whenever issues of “DEI” are discussed. The issue I take with such a stance is that the author, Roxane Gay, strips away the valid and unique experiences of all the authors in the room. To her, the lack of published black authors can be attributed entirely to race. She disregards the individual with a unique life story borne from the trials of life and instead perceives them as a part of a collective mass of the same insight and experience. This basic assumption infuriates me whenever I come across it.
To individuals who perpetuate this notion of diversity, the spectrum of thought is perceived as diverse only when a spectrum of color is drawn. The question ought to be proposed: Why does diversity require one’s skin color to be different? Why can’t one’s life experiences be the marker instead? It shouldn’t have to fall upon the pigments of their skin to be the indicator of valued thought.
Are my experiences, my hardships, my successes, and my realizations simply null or deemed less worthy because I am white? Why is my voice and experience not considered? To argue the contrary is the very definition of racism.
When looking at the previous statement regarding “not enough writers of color being published,” an issue is certainly raised. How do we counter inequalities that do arise in society? Such a multifaceted issue cannot be addressed with the oversimplified and overgeneralized answer of the DEI banner. Diversity, equity, and inclusion policies seek to bridge disparities by lifting “minority and oppressed” members of society and providing them with more opportunities to succeed. However, the reality is that these individuals are not elevated to certain roles. Instead, the qualities and requirements necessary for those positions are lowered to their level to meet a particular quota. The result is underqualified people who are known as “diversity hires” – a phenomenon seen more and more lately.
Martin Luther King Jr. stated: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
In our society today, it appears as though we are determined to do the opposite. Many seek to evaluate others based on the color of one’s skin while caring little for the content and merits of their character. When I speak and share my thoughts, I do not want to be known as a white man. I want to be known as an individual, an individual that is unique in the eyes of God.
President Dallin H. Oaks, in a devotional given a year ago in Chicago, stated that: “Jesus did not pray that His followers would be ‘diverse.’ He prayed that they would be one.” He stated earlier in the devotional that truly loving each other as God taught would “transcend all boundaries of nation, creed, and color.”
In solving issues of disparity in society, we should seek to strengthen, lift, and support those who are affected. There is no easy and simple solution to such an issue. Implementing DEI policies, however, only results in standards being lowered for minority groups, considerations based on merit ignored, and qualified persons denied positions.
Approaching life in an effort of truly loving one another and appreciating the insights and life stories of each individual will create a truly “diverse” society. A society that values and appreciates the merit of every person and cares not for the color of one’s skin. Such a society is founded on Jesus Christ’s commandment for us to “be one.”
Approaching the commandment to love one another and appreciating the unique life stories and insight of each individual, we enable the way for a truly “diverse” society—one that values and appreciates the merit of each individual. Such a society follows Jesus Christ’s commandment for us to “be one,” denies our separation into differing categories before Him, and places us as united children of God.
Written by: Adam Blake
Senior Contributor at the Cougar Chronicle
The opinions in this article are those of the author.
The Cougar Chronicle is an independent student-run newspaper and is not affiliated with Brigham Young University or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
