Donald Trump told Fox News that DEI is dead. Why, exactly, did he kill it? Trumpians would have us believe there's no discrimination, that the system is totally fair, that all of us are treated equally. Then, why is there a wealth gap between women and men, between whites and people of color? Scratch beneath the surface, you will find fear, racism, sexism, and all the other ism schisms and phobias.
It's easier to throw out pejoratives if you don't really allow DEI to be fully defined. Maybe if I name them, you will pause for a moment and think about this. Let me shed light on what these words actually mean.
(From Chally)
Diversity: This is when people from all different backgrounds come together. It includes people of different races, genders, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, visible and invisible disabilities, class, or status.
Equity: The understanding that providing equal treatment or resources doesn’t necessarily deliver equally matching results is the foundation of equity. While many people share the same goals and dreams, show us who you really are. path isn’t always the same, and one might experience more hardship and obstacles than another.
Inclusion: Celebrating diversity requires thoughtful inclusion. Everyone must be recognized and appreciated for their talents, be provided with opportunities to get involved, and have their perspectives valued and heard.
Belonging: A sense of belonging ties diversity, equity, and inclusion together. Each group member is respected, valued, and cherished while being their authentic selves. Belonging is a feeling of a shared community.
Is DEI illegal because there are people who would like to bring about the best in us? Is it illegal because it builds community?
As defined, these all seem to be positive terms, looking for the best in all of us. As a Christian, this is what it means to love one another.
Instead of hiding behind a pejorative, why not come out and show us who you really are, and what you really represent?
(Forgive me. I see somebody else got to this idea before I did with a meme on Facebook, but as this situation rapidly evolves, I thought I should add my voice.)
A Waste of Human Potential / A drag on Economic Growth
Whenever we exclude people and their potential, it comes at a cost to all of us. Discrimination comes in many forms. The EEOC investigates discrimination complaints based on an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, and retaliation for reporting, participating in, and/or opposing a discriminatory practice.
Whenever we discriminate there is a cost in lost potential. Two thirds of the US economy is based on consumer spending. By holding people from participating in the economy, we're hold back potential for economic growth.
Citigroup did some research on the issue. The study found that over the past 20 years the US economy lost $16 trillion to racial discrimination against African Americans alone. Ending discrimination would give a $5 trillion boost to the economy over the next five years.
Specifically, the study came up with $16 trillion in lost GDP by noting four key racial gaps between African Americans and whites:
$13 trillion lost in potential business revenue because of discriminatory lending to African American entrepreneurs, with an estimated 6.1 million jobs not generated as a result
$2.7 trillion in income lost because of disparities in wages suffered by African Americans
$218 billion lost over the past two decades because of discrimination in providing housing credit
And $90 billion to $113 billion in lifetime income lost from discrimination in accessing higher education
This is only the beginning when it comes to lost potential. The GDP is adversely affected by all forms of discrimination. Two more examples:
Age Discrimination $850 billion per year (AARP)
Gender Inequality $2 trillion per year (Katica Roy - Fast Company)
Minorities Have Positive Economic Impacts
It is reported that the LGBT community currently contributes over $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy. The findings from this research have strengthened the LGBT community’s leverage for inclusion. (asae Research Foundation) Imagine the boost to the economy without discrimination.
It's not just the money
How does discrimination impact social inclusion?
Discrimination affects people’s opportunities, their well-being, and their sense of agency. Persistent exposure to discrimination can lead individuals to internalize the prejudice or stigma that is directed against them, manifesting in shame, low self-esteem, fear and stress, as well as poor health. A survey regarding HIV-related stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV in Asia and the Pacific, for example, found that half to three-quarters of respondents felt either shame, guilt and/or low self-esteem. -UN
When US News and World Report looks at the best places to live in the world, it looks beyond broad access to food and housing. They look to quality education and health care, to employment that will sustain us, quality of life may also include intangibles such as job security, political stability, individual freedom and environmental quality.
What social scientists do agree on is that material wealth is not the most important factor in assessing a life lived well. The results of the Quality of Life sub-ranking survey reflect that sensibility.
Canada is ranked on top for the fifth straight year. Survey respondents view the North American country as No. 1 for being politically stable, No. 4 for having a well-developed public education system, and No. 2 for having a good job market, a perception supported by independent research. The North American country is seen as possessing the most well-developed public health care system.(Quality of Life Rankings). Seven European countries made the list.
In a society that functions optimally, those who can should naturally want to provide for those who can't. That's how it's designed to work. I truly believe we're here to take care of one another.
A while back I wrote a blog about This Land Is Your Land. The premise was for a more inclusive national anthem. The message behind the Woody Guthrie classic is inclusion. This land is for #everybody No exceptions.
At the time, I thought Woody's message might be too controversial. The messages coming out of Trump's administration, make it seem like a damn good idea. If we truly are one nation under God, there's a critical point conservative Christians are missing. "Their faith is for #everybody just like this country.
Happy Birthday America!
Change the National Anthem?
I saw a posting about keeping the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem the other day. I wondered what the motivation was for the posting. Debate about the National Anthem seems like such an irrelevant issue to me. There is opposition to the militaristic nature of the lyrics. There has always been opposition to the Star Spangled Banner. Your can read about it in the Washington Post.
It was written during the war of 1812. It didn't become the official anthem until 1931. Although it became a favorite of the military during the civil war. At that time Hail Columbia and Yankee Doodle were also unofficial national anthems. America the Beautiful and America are often mentioned as replacements today.
To me it seems a distraction. A side issue. This will all work itself out...or not.
What About Woody?
My thoughts landed on "This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie." I remembered the song from grade school. We sang the first and second verses....sometime the third. I also remember this as being part of the songbook for the Folk craze of the late 50's and early 60's. This Land is Your Land launched thousands of budding folk singers with inexpensive nylon string guitars. I had one. It cost about $25 with the case.
This Land Is Your Land
Words and Music by Woody Guthrie
This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and Me.
As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.
I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me.
Going Deeper - Not Going to Happen
First, Guthrie was a communist. There's a lot of baggage associated with communists in this country. It's a label meant to imply that he or she is not part of us. Once that kind of label is applied, it is easy to discriminate against the person and dismiss any ideas as invalid. No matter how valid the issues, if they are presented by a "the other", they are demonized and dismissed. Based on that alone, his song would never fly here. Digging deeper, there's a references to Great Depression and the ecological disaster that went along with it, the Dust Bowl. Thousands of farmers lost everything. This started a migration. Many choose California and the land of opportunity. They were met at the border and not allowed in. There's a verse about that discriminatory practice.
"As I went walking I saw a sign there, And on the sign it said "No Trespassing." But on the other side it didn't say nothing, That side was made for you and me."
There's also reference to the millions who were seeking work, but could not find any. We were promised two chickens in every pot and a car in every garage, It was the American Dream. The dream was dashed by greed.
"In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people, By the relief office I seen my people; As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking Is this land made for you and me?"
In the final verse, Guthrie promises to keep speaking out about the injustice of a system that has allowed so many to fall through the cracks.
"Nobody living can ever stop me, As I go walking that freedom highway; Nobody living can ever make me turn back This land was made for you and me."
Obviously, it's a protest song. It was controversial then. It is still controversial today. We didn't know that in grade school. Yet, the ironies 75 years later are striking. There's a severe drought in Southern California and large portions of the West, and there are millions of working Americans cannot make ends meet because they are working poor paying jobs. Of course, The Great Recession was brought on by greed,
Today, I find myself admiring the message of inclusiveness in the face of exclusion. The message is still relevant.
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