We Shouldn't Need DEI

The Civil Rights Acts was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964. This law prohibited discrimination based in public places and made employment discrimination illegal. The continued disparities among races made it difficult to provide fair and equal policy to ensure all people would receive just employment opportunities.

On September 24, 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued Executive Order 11246, prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin by those organizations receiving federal contracts and subcontracts. The term affirmative action was first used by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 prior to the Civil Rights Act. In 1968, gender was added to affirmative action to prohibit unequal employment practices between the sexes.

Here we are 70 years later still having discussions and lawsuits trying to prevent discrimination based on race, color, religion, and gender. We are going backwards as a nation. If we hired and promoted people based on their experience and related education, there would be no need for DEI or any laws designed to created equality. People would be judged on merit, not because interview or hiring quotas need to be filled.

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The NFL's Rooney Rule was implemented in 2003. The rule requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching positions and other senior positions. The rule was created to increase the diversity of coaches and other managerial positions in the NFL. It was named after Art Rooney, former owner of the Pittsburg Steelers and Chair of the NFL Diversity Committee at the time. It was created due to the firing of Tony Dungy and Dennis Green, two of the few Black head coaches in the NFL. The rule was based on recommendations from the league's Workplace Diversity Committee, now known as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. There are 9 Black head coaches in the NFL Currently.

On January 21, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (the “January 21 DEI Order”). Earlier, on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed two DEI-related executive orders titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” (the “Gender Order”) and “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” (the “January 20 DEI Order”). These Executive Orders prevent the Federal Government from acknowledging any policies that provide employment protection for people of color, women, and other under represented minorities in the workplace.

Many companies are apprehensive about continuing DEI policy; however, there are ways you can ensure fair and equitable treatment of employees;

1. Hire the best employees regardless of color. People who meet the qualifications of employment should be given top consideration.

2. Avoid nepotism. Family members, friends, and business associates should not be given preferential treatment over more skilled and qualified people.

3. Hire the best fit for the positions. Make sure the candidates are a good fit for the culture of your organization.

4. Stop plugging dykes. Many companies hire people just to fill a need, regardless of qualifications or readiness.

5. Remove biases. Eliminate philosophies, prejudices, and perceptions that prevent you from being partial.

6. Stick to the script. Use the same practices for all candidates. Use interview questions that address the skill levels of candidates. Do not give a pass on weaknesses and red flags.

7. Don't give into peer pressure. Your senior management may try to manipulate the outcomes of your selection process. Take a stand and be fair always.

   
   

   

   Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was commander of the famous Tuskegee Airman, 99th Fighter Squadron and 332 Fighter Group He was the first Black to be commissioned as a Brigadier General in the United States Airforce. His father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was the first Black Brigadier General in the United States Army.