“DEI is poison and we won’t rest until the public knows how companies have strayed from American values.”?--Robby Starbuck, 7/16/24
To refute the claim that “DEI is poison” and the anti-DEI actions and beliefs promoted by
Robby Starbuck
, it is essential to underscore the profound benefits and necessity of DEI initiatives in fostering a thriving, inclusive, and innovative workplace and society.
Understanding DEI’s Value and American Values
DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives are far from being “poison.” They embody the core American values of fairness, equal opportunity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background. The assertion that companies like Tractor Supply and John Deere have “strayed from American values” by implementing DEI initiatives is not only misguided but also overlooks the foundational principles that make America strong.
- Economic and Business Growth: DEI initiatives are not just morally right; they are also economically advantageous. Numerous studies have shown that diverse teams are more innovative and perform better financially. Companies with inclusive cultures are more likely to attract and retain top talent, which is crucial in today’s competitive business environment. By fostering an inclusive workplace, companies can ensure they are leveraging the full potential of their workforce.
- Promoting a Respectful Workplace: Providing LGBTQIA+ training and supporting Pride events are not about discussing the “kind of sex people like” at work. These initiatives are about fostering a workplace where every employee feels respected, valued, and safe. It’s about ensuring that all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can bring their whole selves to work without fear of discrimination or harassment.
- American Ideals of Freedom and Equality: The principles of DEI are deeply rooted in the American ideals of freedom and equality. America has always been a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and people from diverse backgrounds. Embracing DEI is a continuation of this tradition, ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they are, has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Addressing Misinformation and Fear
The fearmongering tactics used by Robby Starbuck, such as promoting fringe conspiracy theories and the baseless great replacement theory, are designed to divide and create fear. These tactics are not only harmful but also counterproductive to building a cohesive and prosperous society.
- Promoting Unity Over Division: DEI initiatives promote unity and understanding by bringing people from different backgrounds together. They encourage dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect. The claims made by Starbuck that these initiatives somehow undermine American values are not only false but also serve to sow division and distrust.
- Rejecting Fringe Theories: The great replacement theory and similar conspiracy theories have no basis in reality and have been widely debunked. They are designed to stoke fear and prejudice. It is crucial to reject these baseless claims and instead focus on the positive impact that DEI initiatives have on our communities and workplaces.
Supporting DEI for a Better Future
The decision by Tractor Supply and John Deere to eliminate DEI roles and initiatives is a step backward. DEI initiatives are essential for creating an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone can thrive.
- Commitment to Progress: Companies that commit to DEI are not only doing the right thing but are also setting themselves up for long-term success. By fostering an inclusive environment, they are better equipped to innovate, solve complex problems, and adapt to changing market conditions.
- Encouraging Corporate Responsibility: Companies have a responsibility to contribute positively to society. Supporting Pride events and submitting data to the Human Rights Campaign are ways in which companies can demonstrate their commitment to equality and human rights. These actions are not just symbolic; they have real impacts on the lives of employees and the broader community.
- Serving an ever more diverse workforce: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. population was more racially and ethnically diverse in 2020 than in 2010, with the Diversity Index increasing from 54.9% to 61.1%. This index, which measures the likelihood of two randomly selected people being from different racial and ethnic groups, also revealed that the younger population was even more diverse, scoring 68.5% for those under 18 compared to 58.3% for adults. Additionally, the racial makeup of the adult population saw a significant shift, with the percentage of white adults alone dropping from 74.7% to 64.1%. As the workforce mirrors these demographic changes, DEI initiatives are essential to meet the diverse needs of employees, fostering inclusive environments where all individuals can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.
DEI is the Anecdote to Workplace Discrimination and Hate
DEI is not poison; it is a vital component of a healthy, innovative, and fair workplace and society. It aligns with core American values of equality, freedom, and opportunity for all. By embracing DEI, companies can ensure they are fostering an environment where all employees feel valued and can contribute to their fullest potential. We must reject divisive rhetoric and instead focus on building a more inclusive and equitable future for everyone.
Robby Starbuck's strategy for dismantling corporate DEI programs is working. Not because he's right, but because he's loud.
Dr. Victoria Mattingly is CEO of Mattingly Solutions, a pro-DEI advocate, author, and speaker. Connect with her at https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/vpmattingly/
#diversityequityinclusion
Retired at Retired
6 个月I like diversity, I like inclusion both build good teams in my experience. Now equity seems to equate to skills in my opinion and I'll never possess the degree of skills some have, and some will never possess my skills to the degree I have. This is where the E falls flat on it's face.
Helping the nation's TOP Social Capital CEOs share their ideas on how to do business better by respecting people.
6 个月Fairness Versus DEI? You Can and Must Have Both. Business models focused on creating equality of opportunity rather than on equality in outcome should not be seen as threatening to DEI but an effective method of implementing it. READ THE REST OF THE AMAZING ARTICLE AT THE LINK BELOW https://lnkd.in/g8qgnmRd Featuring six amazingly inclusive CEOs who are focusing on the ultimate DEI strategy, and what they have to say about that can offer some?insight?on how the rest of us can do the same. #dei, #equity, #ceomindset, #socialcapital
Executive Director, Free Enterprise Project, National Center for Public Policy Research
7 个月You keep pushing the DEI propaganda and we'll keep exposing the neo-racist & neo-Marxist substance of DEI, and then we'll see who wins. My bet is that the more the truth about DEI gets exposed, the less companies will be able to keep pushing it.
Used to direct stars, now I fight for sanity
7 个月?? Aren’t you a liberal white woman? I’m a Latino minority so according to your DEI ideology aren’t you supposed to not correct a person of color like this? Sounds like you need to go back to training! ?? No but seriously, start looking for other jobs or only apply to train the furthest left companies because I have an army behind me ready to dismantle DEI at every company that depends on the conservative consumer. Executives are so scared of being next some are already dismantling before we even get to them. ?? Good luck with your grift!
Chief of Staff | Senior (Technical) Program Manager| PMO Operations Manager | Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
7 个月We can't get louder without community and there's not enough of it in the DEI space to kick back the anti-DEI rhetoric. Individually, we'll just be playing whack-a-mole. In solidarity and groups, we can use our data-based storytelling to push back. Where are our DEI teach-ins? Where are our coalitions of DEI champions our work should have wrought over these years and educate them on how to retort to misinformation? Misinformation is winning and we aren't doing a great job pushing back. I suspect it's because our space has become a microcosm of the inequitable behavior we are charged to eliminate as DEI practitioners and professionals. I hope that changes. Soon.