By Courtney Argenti | Fountain Hills
The argument that DEI creates division or fosters entitlement is ridiculous and it ignores the fundamental reality of systemic inequality.
DEI exists to ensure that hiring practices, educational opportunities and leadership roles reflect the full diversity of our communities, rather than reinforcing historical patterns of privilege and oppression.
When someone claims DEI is divisive, what they often mean is that they are uncomfortable with giving up unearned advantages. DEI isn’t about guilt or division. It’s about giving everyone a fair shot at success.
For those celebrating Scottsdale City Council’s decision to eliminate DEI programs, claiming it ensures hiring based on “merit,” I’d like you to consider: Who benefits when DEI is dismantled? If DEI initiatives are truly unnecessary, why do these gaps persist?
*In 2023, the median household income for white families was $89,050, compared to $56,490 for Black families and $65,540 for Hispanic families (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024).
*Women earned approximately 83 cents for every dollar men earned, with the gap even wider for women of color (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).
*Job applicants with "white-sounding" names were 50% more likely to receive callbacks than equally qualified applicants with "Black-sounding" names (Bertrand & Mullainathan, 2004).
Claims that focusing on race as divisive ignores the reality that racism is already embedded in our institutions. The U.S. was built on policies that excluded certain groups from wealth-building opportunities. These past injustices did not disappear; consequences persist today in access to quality education, healthcare disparities, incarceration rates, struggles for tribal sovereignty, and wealth inequality. Public schools are funded by property taxes which continue to promote disparities in resources, opportunities, and access. I do not have enough space to even scratch the surface of the historical context here.
Let’s not mistake oppression for progress. Pure meritocracy is a myth when there are real, legal and societal barriers that allow certain groups to start further ahead.
Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
