By Janice Ellis missouriindependent.com
With the stroke of a pen, efforts to create an equal playing field for all Americans irrespective of race and gender are being eliminated under the guise that they promote unfairness and incompetence.
Nothing could be further from the truth. History is our witness.
There seems to be amnesia about whether this country has always provided and promoted equal access and equal opportunity to minorities and women in every aspect of American life.
Breaking news: the country has not.
That is where real unfairness lies.
A review of America’s history makes it clear that Blacks have been severely and consistently discriminated against and have fought — and continue to fight — for equal rights. Women and other disenfranchised groups were also forced to launch their own movements to advance their fight for equality
Yet, as we celebrate another Black History Month, there are efforts anew to either prevent, distort or recast American history when it comes to the way Blacks have been regarded and treated.
The Black experience and history in America, as the saying goes, “is what it is.” No amount of avoidance, elimination or recasting will change that.
So, will the current administration, with the stroke of the pen, issue an executive order to have the history of Blacks included and taught in schools?
Not partial, inaccurate, incomplete or revisionist history. But, actual history.
Anything less than that is designed to perpetuate lies, hypocrisy and the misguided belief in white male supremacy that has been born of self-induced fear based on centuries of privilege and inequity practiced and maintained across generations.
That is the concern with the administration’s focus on ending DEI programs, and with many states and private entities following suit by scrubbing and dismantling their efforts to promote equal access and equal opportunity.
Missouri is among them.
In addition to the false notion that DEI programs are unfair, there is the unsubstantiated claim that DEI programs lower their qualifications and standards of performance thereby fostering incompetence that can lead to inferior, if not dangerous, operational situations.
That also feeds into the notion that there are jobs that can only and be best performed by white males.
Where is the data? Where is the proof?
Could the only answer offered be that white males have been universally allowed to get those jobs?
Even when Blacks are very qualified, they confront barriers and deliberate efforts to keep them from being hired and promoted.
If a few Blacks manage to break the barriers, become employed and reach a high position, their achievements are often undermined because they are deemed to have only occurred because of some affirmative action or DEI policy — even when there may not be such policies in place or adhered to in that company.
What are we to make of the extraordinary hypocrisy and duplicity in it all?
It seems perfectly acceptable for Blacks to dominate the TV screens when it comes to satisfying America’s appetite, season after season, for football and basketball.
Players in the NFL are overwhelmingly Black. Similarly, Black players make up 75% of the NBA.
Blacks are welcomed in sports in colleges and universities across America. Black collegiate players satisfy the appetites of alumni and bring millions of dollars to the coffers of colleges and universities.
But there is a decline in non-athletic Black students being admitted to colleges and universities when it is clear that they meet the entry requirements without any affirmative action or DEI consideration.
Are sports the only professions where broad inclusion and participation of Blacks is acceptable and applauded?
Blacks have made significant contributions in all areas of American life, from A to Z, from the Arts to Zoology and all subjects in between. Despite arriving to this country as slaves, enduring centuries of oppression and discrimination, and despite ongoing efforts to minimize, marginalize, distort, hide — even deny and destroy — blacks have played and continue to make major contributions in American history.
While the future of Black History Month remains a question, one month will never be enough to even put a dent into what blacks across generations have achieved for this nation.
As justification for the decimation of DEI programs, and the marginalization of the value of contributions by Blacks and other minorities, the new administration claims merit should be the only deciding factor.
The cry is that access to jobs, schools of higher education, and joining the military should be based only on merit.
That is fine. But, how do you get to the table — have a chance — to show your merit?
In the current climate — where affirmative action and DEI programs are going away — discriminatory practices will be bolstered. More doors to opportunities will likely close when it comes to employment, admission rates to colleges and universities, access to housing, small business survival, and other areas of life afforded all Americans.
Those are real examples of unfairness and unduly undermining qualifications and performance standards.Now, more than ever, is the time to continue to work to ensure there is equal opportunity, equal access, and equal consideration.
For all qualified Americans.
But, the very opposite is occurring, out of fear and misguided beliefs of supremacy.
