It’s maddening to watch as the Legislature tears down diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives while acknowledging outright their decision is made free of data.
Andy Larsen’s recently published excellent article, “One of the most popular anti-DEI studies is full of problems,” traces the shoddy scholarship behind anti-DEI arguments. Data-free decisions are merely opinions but, in this case, opinions that will affect millions of people in our communities and across our state.
The sad reality is, racism exists, and DEI programs are an anti-racism tool to right this shameful wrong. Do our Republican legislators understand that racism is prejudice by an individual or institution against a person or people based on their membership in a racial or ethnic group that is a minority or marginalized?
Now that they are dismantling one of the few tools there are, I want to know what exactly our Republican legislators are going to do to address the very real problem of racism in our state? Perhaps Rep. Hall will begin by taking her own medicine and attend some anti-racism workshops as she “works on a personal level to end racism.” Because, as Sebastian Stewart-Johnson recently observed when speaking against this ignorant, anti-DEI bill, “That fear is not mine, it’s yours.”
Erica Marken, Salt Lake City