Dear Dr. E: We chose a Christian college for our son because we wanted to avoid all the woke indoctrination we were seeing at many state universities across the country. My husband and I thought the extra cost was worth it, and we sacrificed quite a bit to make this happen. But this past weekend, when our son came home for an early fall break, he was already talking positively about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Can you give us some pointers on how to respond? Sincerely, A Concerned Parent from Kentucky.
Dear Concerned Parent: There are many reasons DEI should be refuted by all biblical Christians (or any thoughtful conservative or even a classical liberal, for that matter). I’ll cite just a few.
First, DEI is divisive. It is driven by dividing rather than uniting people. Its entire agenda is grounded in us against them, you against me, blacks against whites, the 99 percent against the one. It is textbook balkanization. It feeds off of a “divided” rather than United States. Under the banner of DEI, higher education becomes a “diversity” rather than a university. This worldview is grounded in the age-old Marxist argument that there are limited pieces to the pie, and if you have more than me, then you took mine. It doesn’t even consider that somebody could bake more pies if we’d stop fighting over the ones we already have. At its root, DEI is grounded in class conflict and driven by dystopian critical theory.
Second, DEI is predicated on blame rather than responsibility. It’s your fault rather than mine. It is the politics of always looking out the window rather than in the mirror, and it teaches everyone to point fingers rather than play as a team.
Third, DEI is grounded in racism, pure and simple. By definition, it categorizes people by the color of their skin. It judges by appearance rather than character. It is the opposite of Martin Luther King’s dream. It is Marx’s nightmare. It is the antithesis of a biblical worldview because it actually encourages “the eye to say to the hand, ’I have no need of you.’” DEI cuts off its nose to spite its face.
Fourth, DEI disparages equality. It argues that “all men are not created equal.” In fact, all talk of equal opportunity is considered just another argument for white privilege. Equality is not the goal. A level playing field is not what they want. Equity means redistribution from the top down and tilting the field so our opponent has to run uphill the entire game. Rather than giving everyone a fair shake, DEI argues that the successful deserve a shake-down.
Fifth, DEI discourages competition. Excellence is sacrificed for the average. If there are no winners, no one loses. It is adolescent and juvenile. DEI is the ultimate participation trophy.
Sixth, DEI explicitly breaks one of the Ten Commandments. “Thou shall not” is turned into “thou shall” covet. In the world of DEI, wanting what others have becomes a virtue, not a vice. This is a sermon that preaches, “I deserve mine, so give me some of yours.”
Finally, DEI simply doesn’t work. Who can deny that resentment, blame, and distrust are all on the rise? Why? Is it possible that it all started with the “fundamental transformation” of Barack Obama, and we now seem to be doubling down on dumb?
Diversity divides, Equity blames, and Inclusion denies; It denies science, denies reality, and denies sanity. Feelings trump facts. If I feel like I’m a woman, I am one. If I feel like I’m black, I am. If I feel like you’re a bigot, you are. If I feel like the earth is dying, it is. If I feel like masks work, they do. I feel like you triggered me. I feel like you offended me. You made me feel uncomfortable. You can’t be tolerated because of your intolerance. Your facts must be checked because they hurt my feelings. The list goes on. Inclusion denies logic and common sense. It is the ultimate Orwellian spin. Its Ministry has a long list of those who must be excluded. Why?
Because the Big Brother of DEI said so.
The worldview of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion may be many things, but one thing it is not is Christian.
Higher Ground is there for you if you’re seeking guidance in today’s changing world. Everett Piper, a Ph.D. and a former university president and radio host, is writing an advice column for The Times, and he wants to hear from you. If you have any moral or ethical questions for which you’d like an answer, please email askeverett@washingtontimes.com, and he may include it in the column.
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