DEI, from where I sit

Even obliquely, blaming crises on DEI seems to be de rigueur among the current junta in DC. But let’s be clear: this is simply saying that some people are not worthy, that they do not belong, and that they are unnecessary. 

It is actually a relatively small step from there to saying they do not have a place in society, that they are parasites, and, with just another short step, that they do not deserve to live.

We’ve been there—and not just in Germany in the 30s.  Let’s not forget Rwanda.  Oh, and the former Yugoslavia.  And other corners of the world that we would rather not have to think about. I have visited some of them. 

You blame them today.

You kill them tomorrow—massively, efficiently, and without remorse.

It’s barely coded language. But the purveyors of this kind of thing are not playing games. They never do.

So, let me tell you about DEI from where I sit.

D

J. would never have gone to college when I was his age.  He has a serious mental illness (treatable) and several other disabilities.  He is smart—honest smart—so he may have figured out a way to get in, but soon enough, he would have flamed out, and there would not have been any supports to keep him on track to complete his studies.

Unless his parents were rich… 

Which J’s are not.  His dad died on the streets, and his mom—who knows?

And yet here he is, a mere six courses from graduating.  He has support.  He is on his meds. And he is going to succeed.  

I say “D” for this because J enriches me greatly.  I never knew any J’s who succeeded when I was in school because they were not there.  But J’s presence is a blessing to me.  He smiles.  He laughs. He shares his dreams.  And he adds enormously to every class he attends. 

He brings D, and we are far better for it.

E

J needs help.  He can only enroll in a limited number of classes.  A) Because he works a LOT to pay for it all. And B) Because he has these “disabilities” that inhibit his ability to focus on too much at one time. 

So, J gets what we call an “accommodation.” If J asks for it, he is allowed to make “minimum progress” by taking fewer courses than he would normally be required to take. 

J benefits from E considerations. And it’s a good thing.  E considerations are going to help J succeed.  

Key point: His accommodations do not harm students who do not get them.  They are not being “cheated.” Instead, they place J in a position to participate fully in his education.  And isn’t that what we want a student to have?  Isn’t that a good goal?

I would say, “Yes.”

I

J told me today, “I am afraid I will end up on the street.  My dad died there, and I am terrified all the time that I will, too.  I wish I could find housing with other disabled people.  My best friend here is autistic.  We get along great.”

J is saying, I want a place characterized by “I.”  

He wants I, and he is excited about the possibility of moving into housing where he experiences it every day.  I am going to try to help him with that.

DEI

Honestly, J illustrates what this all means.  Sure other people with other identities, needs, and lives could illustrate what it means.  J is just one case—one example—of what this apparently cursed word means. 

Which should only remind us of our first point: this is not about DEI. This is about creating a world in which some people are disposable, some people are overusing scarce resources, some people are “unpeople.” 

It is worthwhile fighting for J—and I mean fighting hard.  The path those screaming against DEI wish to take us down only leads to gas chambers, pogroms, ethnic cleansing, and state-sponsored eugenics.  It is time to acknowledge this and scream our opposition in every way we can. 

J deserves it.