Letter: The DEI delusion

Posted 3/7/23

To the editor:

Give me “diversity” or give me death? My country tis of thee, sweet land of “diversity”, of thee I sing. Uh, no.  

Currently in vogue, DEI …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Letter: The DEI delusion

Posted

To the editor:

Give me “diversity” or give me death? My country tis of thee, sweet land of “diversity”, of thee I sing. Uh, no. 

Currently in vogue, DEI ideology has been promulgated in the public square for the last five seconds of American history. Many, including TC member Annalise Conway breathlessly claim, “Diversity has always been America’s most important strength.” (February TC meeting). 

I’m uncertain if such statements derive from a willful neglect of our history or if the penetration of DEI groupthink is so deep that it’s become part of DNA. 

I offer a narrative in juxtaposition that presents an alternative and without regard to the “appearance factor”.  Simply put, it is our seminal American values that are of supreme importance. 

Instead of diversity, E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one). Did we not learn of America as the great “melting pot?” Immigrants of all stripes seek many prospects including, employment, freedom from dictatorship and communism, the right to worship and speak freely. This and other values flow from our Constitution, The Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. Our identity is bound up in being American, not a virtue-signaling sub-group.

In lieu of equity, Liberty! Americans yearn to participate in equal opportunities, a level playing field. And while imperfect, our country is replete with a history of laws, movements, wars, conflicts, efforts public and private, civil, and religious to make it better. I don’t know of a single soul who desires an equal result for himself based on appearance or identity! Equality of results is dystopian and antithetical to American DNA.

Finally, inclusion can be viewed through the lens of the Declaration of Independence. Especially “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....”. If we acknowledge that our rights come from God and not from government, only then will we realize that they cannot be purloined by men. Our national motto, “In God We Trust” flows from this ideal. A divine inclusion if you will.

And where might we find Liberty, In God We Trust and E Pluribus Unum? On every American coin! They are widely known, loved and respected, provide endless hope and contain within them the civic glue which binds our nation. It’s time we remember, venerate, and celebrate them anew.

Scott Fuller

Barrington

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.