Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness are American Values
OPINION: The U.S. was founded on principles of diversity, equity and inclusiveness, Henry Hamilton III writes for Black Iowa News. DEI antagonists don’t get it.
By Henry Hamilton III ● Opinion ●
The ideas of diversity, equity and inclusiveness are as American as apple pie. The United States was founded upon these principles. New inhabitants landed upon these shores in search of land where they would be welcomed and treated equally. America represented a land of opportunity where they hoped to rise as far as their God-given talents would allow and not suffer harassment or persecution due to their identities or beliefs.
In 1776, the nation’s founders authored the Declaration of Independence and heroically declared: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
This was a profound statement. There is no word in the English lexicon more inclusive or diverse than the word “all.” For this reason, I refer to the Declaration of Independence as the nation’s first DEI program. Admittedly, the founders’ actions did not always match their proclaimed values. Several founders were slaveholders. Nonetheless, this bold assertion that “all men are created equal” and entitled to the same rights and privileges formed the basis of our national identity. The U.S. Constitution reinforced this national identity. The Constitution speaks of “We the people” forming a “more perfect union” and “securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity.” The Constitution established a federalist government with three co-equal branches — a strong executive, a bicameral legislature and an independent judiciary. The nation’s people, however, desired more.
The Constitution would not have been ratified but for the guarantees within the Fifth Amendment, which ensured that all persons were entitled to due process of the law, meaning that the national government was mandated to treat all persons fairly and equitably. Similarly, the Constitution would not have been ratified but for the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech, religion and assembly. These core freedoms were deemed necessary to protect and ensure that the voices of diverse and marginalized communities would be protected and reflected in the national discourse. Here, though, lies the great paradox: The same Constitution that guaranteed the rights of all persons to be treated equally regardless of identity or belief nonetheless sanctioned the continuance of slavery — the antithesis of freedom and equality.
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Justice Roger Taney exploited the Constitution’s internal inconsistencies in the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford and declared that African Americans, free or enslaved, “had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.” This was a major victory for the anti-diversity, equity and inclusiveness folks. The decision, however, did not sit so well with others. The Dred Scott decision heightened tensions between abolitionists, convinced that the enslavement of humans was in direct dereliction of natural law and our founding values and slave-owning Southerners determined to preserve slavery by any means. Disagreements over slavery ultimately led to a bloody civil war. Union forces, including nearly 200,000 African American men, courageously and powerfully defeated the Southern secessionists and forced their unconditional surrender.
Following the war, the citizens of this nation ratified the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments. These amendments sought once and for all to correct any ambiguities within the Constitution regarding the equality of rights of all persons regardless of identity or beliefs. The Reconstruction Amendments were meant to unequivocally inscribe the values of diversity, equity and inclusiveness within our governing documents.
Significantly, the 14th Amendment begins with the words “all persons.” Again, no word is more diverse and inclusive than the word “all.” The Amendment continues with language reaffirming that all persons are entitled to due process and equal treatment under the law. The plain language of the 14th Amendment makes clear that if you can prove yourself to be a person, you are entitled to due process and equal treatment before the law, with no exclusions. Moreover, the 14th Amendment authorized Congress to take all action to secure these guarantees.
My point is this: The values of diversity, equity and inclusiveness are an indelible part of our national identity. Those forces opposing DEI are against the very ideas for which the nation was founded.
The new inhabitants came looking for the land of opportunity where they would not be persecuted because of their identities or beliefs. Our founding documents incorporate the values of diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Our nation fought a bloody civil war to secure adherence to these values from coast to coast. “We the people” ratified the Reconstruction Amendments and permanently inscribed these values within our Constitution and upon our national consciousness. Transforming these founding values into action has not been easy. DEI advocates have engaged in a near 250-year battle to ensure that our nation’s actions live up to its founding values.
We are a better nation because of these efforts. Advances in diversity, equity and inclusiveness have proven to be a driving force of our nation’s success. Had it not been for brave souls advocating for DEI throughout our nation’s history, African Americans would be enslaved. Women would be relegated to second-class citizenship, denied the right to vote and pretty much prohibited from holding elective offices such as governor or state attorney general.
The current populations of U.S. citizens from African, Irish, Italian, German, Japanese, Native American, Chinese, Polish, Asian and Mexican descent would barely exist. Many Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon and atheist families would have been precluded from calling this nation their home. Individuals with disabilities and those who identify as gay would have been denied admittance to the country or offered little opportunity for real participation in American society. At one time or another, anti-DEI forces directed their full attention, hatred and resources towards eliminating or harassing members of these groups. Despite concerted opposition, these groups have made significant contributions that have shaped the country we enjoy.
Never mind the success and contributions of formerly ostracized groups, DEI antagonists persist. Each generation of DEI advocates encounters anti-DEI resistance, intimidation, and all too often, violence. Today’s opponents have a visceral reaction to the mere mention of the words diversity, equity and inclusiveness. They use their influence to force their views upon the populace. They seek to turn back the clock on DEI advancements on college campuses and in the nation’s workplaces.
We now have an abundance of laws that ban books, distort history and criminalize teaching.
These are difficult days; however, I am confident DEI advocates will meet with success. DEI advocates have always demonstrated a capacity to turn our nation’s proclaimed values into action. Like all previous occasions, the resolve of DEI advocates to maintain our democracy, freedoms, fair elections and our nation’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusiveness will prove stronger than the resolve of those who wish to destroy these basic American ideas. DEI advocates must continue to drive lasting change. The success of our nation has and always will depend upon the triumphant promotion of diversity, equity and inclusiveness. These are American values, and they are worth preserving.
About the author:
Henry Hamilton III is an administrative law judge with the United States Social Security Administration.
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and should not be interpreted to be the views or opinions of any past, present or future employer.
This piece first appeared in the summer Black Iowa Newspaper.
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Resistance to DEI occurs when "Equity" is defined as equality of outcome rather than equality under the law. In your writing, I infer that you mean the former—equality under the law—which I think the vast majority of people agree with.
It is telling when many in power are less interested in working hard to extend DEI to all persons than in continuing to support the erroneous Supreme Court decision in Citizens United that in essence extended "personhood" to corporations, unions and non-profits. While working hard could include a very heavy lift, possibly even a Constitutional amendment given the Court's decision, it is an endeavor worth doing. The lack of action in that direction and all the actions at federal, state and local levels, including through the courts, to dismantle DEI initiatives places the priority not on persons but on power: who wields it, who distributes it and who will do both for the forseeable future.