Republican politicians and Twitter warriors alike seemingly draw every issue back to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Following a tragic plane crash on Jan. 30, 2025, President Donald Trump made claims that DEI was to blame for the plane crash. He stated in reference to former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, “The Department of Transportation is his government agency charged with regulating civil aviation… he’s [Buttigieg] run it right into the ground with his diversity.” No evidence has been provided suggesting that diversity in air control played any role in the crash, nor is there data supporting claims that the Department of Transportation hires unqualified employees. In reality, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management clarifies that “all air traffic controllers must undergo extensive training and meet rigorous standards, including physical and mental fitness tests. They cannot have a history of mental disorders or physical conditions that could interfere with their duties.” The implication that DEI caused this tragedy is a calculated strategy by Trump to garner support for his plan of dismantling all DEI initiatives.
The vilification of DEI has been sparked by far-right politicians on social media platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter). The term “DEI hire” began to float around as an insult to discredit the achievements of minorities. The scrutinization of diversity did not begin with DEI programs, however; the rise in anti-DEI sentiments followed the overturning of affirmative action. Most, if not all, college students are familiar with the controversy of affirmative action — especially Swarthmore students, who attend one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the nation. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn affirmative action, many students began to fear what their position in academia would begin to look like and if they would even be allowed in such spaces. Underrepresented minority students can attest to having their intelligence questioned and their accomplishments attributed to affirmative action. Despite fearing the direction our country was heading, many students of color felt a tinge of relief when affirmative action was overturned, hoping that their achievements would finally be recognized as their own. Yet this hope was quickly undermined as their successes were now accredited to DEI.
We are now left with the elephant in the room: why does the far right seem to hate anything that strives to make once-exclusive spaces diverse? It is not because minorities are getting positions they are unqualified for; rather, it’s because minorities are perceived to be inherently less qualified than their white male counterparts. Anti-DEI rhetoric often carries an underlying tone of entitlement. The idea that minorities are taking away positions implies that these positions at schools and jobs were somehow designated for white males when that is not the case. Minorities are still getting the required credentials for these positions and have only been receiving jobs that they are qualified to do.
The recent backlash against DEI is not because people are concerned about fairness; it is because they cannot fathom that minorities can gain achievements based on their merit and talent. DEI did not cause the plane crash in DC, nor have institutions hired unqualified individuals to increase diversity. Claims such as these can be dangerous and negatively impact the treatment of minorities. The current political climate is very negative and may dishearten many people, but it is important to remember there has always been resistance to change. Those who refuse to be discouraged by ignorance will achieve greatness and carve out a future of equity and inclusion.
