Recent political actions at the federal level and in many states have demonized the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Although there is room for reasonable disagreement about specific DEI policies and actions, at its core, ensuring the fair treatment and participation of all people is a fundamental American belief and principle.
Diversity means embracing the differences everyone brings to the table, equity means treating everyone fairly and providing equal opportunities (including those who may be disadvantaged), and inclusion means respecting everyone’s voice and creating a culture in which people from all backgrounds feel encouraged to express their ideas and perspectives.
The increasing erosion of these principles on which our nation is built is occurring in all sectors. At least 226 bills attacking DEI or “environmental, social and governance” considerations in private businesses have been introduced across 36 states, and there is well-documented and widescale retreat from inclusion programs throughout corporate America.
Career staff in government offices who are working on diversity policies have been fired or placed on administrative leave. Civil rights and equal opportunity programs facing elimination include those in the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense. President Trump even fired General Charles Brown Jr., a four-star general confirmed by unanimous vote of the Senate, because of his support for diversity in military ranks.
Nowhere is this trend more troubling than on the education of our nation’s young people. Exposure to different points of view, and critical debate and discussion, are fundamental to our educational system. As a personal example, when I was a student in an undergraduate political science program, there were organized debates between liberal and conservative faculty members about topics including race, gender and the role of government. This sharing of opinions and ideas allowed students to realize a more informed and balanced understanding of the complex issues of the day.
What we are seeing today in our educational system are government attempts to promote uniformity, inequality and exclusion rather than diversity, equity and inclusion. According to one report, since 2023, over 157 bills attacking DEI in education have been introduced across 34 states, including bills prohibiting the teaching of such “divisive concepts” as the history of slavery and racial segregation, voting rights, the fight for women’s equality, or discrimination against gays.
An American Teacher Survey found that about two-thirds of public school teachers through grade 12 have limited their instruction on political and social issues in the classroom. The federal government has launched investigations into 52 universities in 41 states for using “racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities,” and recently gave schools and universities a two-week ultimatum to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal funding.
My 40-plus years as an infectious disease and public health physician have given me the opportunity to meet and work with first-generation immigrants, low-income blue collar workers, African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans, gay, lesbian and transgender youth, rural Africans and many others. Seeing the lived experience and learning from so many different backgrounds has been one of the most educational, enriching and enjoyable experiences of my life.
President Jimmy Carter characterized this country as “a beautiful mosaic” with “different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes and different dreams”. My own grandparents were some of “the tired, the hungry and the poor” who entered this country past the Statue of Liberty from Ukraine, allowing them and so many others to achieve a happy and productive life in this country.
Our strength as Americans is based on embracing rather than rejecting our national identity as a melting pot that fosters diversity, equality and inclusion. Turning our backs on what makes this country stronger only serves to weaken us.
Alan Lifson, MD, MPH, is an infectious disease physician and retired professor of epidemiology and community health. He lives in Bellingham and has devoted over 40 years to public health at the local, state, national and international levels. He previously wrote about measles and vaccine misinformation.
Guest writer: Diversity, equality and inclusion make America stronger
Jimmy Carter was correct in calling America a 'beautiful mosaic'
Recent political actions at the federal level and in many states have demonized the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Although there is room for reasonable disagreement about specific DEI policies and actions, at its core, ensuring the fair treatment and participation of all people is a fundamental American belief and principle.
Diversity means embracing the differences everyone brings to the table, equity means treating everyone fairly and providing equal opportunities (including those who may be disadvantaged), and inclusion means respecting everyone’s voice and creating a culture in which people from all backgrounds feel encouraged to express their ideas and perspectives.
The increasing erosion of these principles on which our nation is built is occurring in all sectors. At least 226 bills attacking DEI or “environmental, social and governance” considerations in private businesses have been introduced across 36 states, and there is well-documented and widescale retreat from inclusion programs throughout corporate America.
Career staff in government offices who are working on diversity policies have been fired or placed on administrative leave. Civil rights and equal opportunity programs facing elimination include those in the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense. President Trump even fired General Charles Brown Jr., a four-star general confirmed by unanimous vote of the Senate, because of his support for diversity in military ranks.
Nowhere is this trend more troubling than on the education of our nation’s young people. Exposure to different points of view, and critical debate and discussion, are fundamental to our educational system. As a personal example, when I was a student in an undergraduate political science program, there were organized debates between liberal and conservative faculty members about topics including race, gender and the role of government. This sharing of opinions and ideas allowed students to realize a more informed and balanced understanding of the complex issues of the day.
What we are seeing today in our educational system are government attempts to promote uniformity, inequality and exclusion rather than diversity, equity and inclusion. According to one report, since 2023, over 157 bills attacking DEI in education have been introduced across 34 states, including bills prohibiting the teaching of such “divisive concepts” as the history of slavery and racial segregation, voting rights, the fight for women’s equality, or discrimination against gays.
An American Teacher Survey found that about two-thirds of public school teachers through grade 12 have limited their instruction on political and social issues in the classroom. The federal government has launched investigations into 52 universities in 41 states for using “racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities,” and recently gave schools and universities a two-week ultimatum to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal funding.
My 40-plus years as an infectious disease and public health physician have given me the opportunity to meet and work with first-generation immigrants, low-income blue collar workers, African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans, gay, lesbian and transgender youth, rural Africans and many others. Seeing the lived experience and learning from so many different backgrounds has been one of the most educational, enriching and enjoyable experiences of my life.
President Jimmy Carter characterized this country as “a beautiful mosaic” with “different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes and different dreams”. My own grandparents were some of “the tired, the hungry and the poor” who entered this country past the Statue of Liberty from Ukraine, allowing them and so many others to achieve a happy and productive life in this country.
Our strength as Americans is based on embracing rather than rejecting our national identity as a melting pot that fosters diversity, equality and inclusion. Turning our backs on what makes this country stronger only serves to weaken us.
Alan Lifson, MD, MPH, is an infectious disease physician and retired professor of epidemiology and community health. He lives in Bellingham and has devoted over 40 years to public health at the local, state, national and international levels. He previously wrote about measles and vaccine misinformation.
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