Diversity For The Sake Of Diversity Is Not Diversity At All

Article by Will Fermaglich, TPT Staff Writer

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." To this day, Martin Luther King Jr's powerful words resonate, as in all aspects of life, whether it be in business, politics, or any other sphere, it is important to prioritize picking the best candidate possible while understanding that diversity and merit can coexist simultaneously. Throughout the twenty-first century, Democrats have taken the lead in championing diversity and inclusion, while Republicans have fallen behind, seemingly by design. Democrats have passed significant diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) legislation and have consistently demonstrated their commitment to achieving equal representation in all walks of life. 

In contrast, Republicans have painted diversity as burdensome bureaucracy, often pushing the notion that diversity and merit are mutually exclusive. This has resulted in Democrats appearing as the more forward-thinking and progressive party when it comes to addressing issues of diversity and inclusion.

Despite these lofty ideals, many people inadvertently use coded language when discussing candidates from diverse backgrounds. It is disheartening to witness how, in the pursuit of diversity, these individuals hand proverbial crutches to candidates, regardless of whether they truly need them or not.

For me, this phenomenon raises questions about the authenticity of diversity and the underlying motivations behind its pursuit. While diversity is undoubtedly important, it is equally crucial that we ensure that diversity is not merely pursued for the sake of appearances or tokenism. True diversity goes beyond surface-level representation. It  is a rich blend of experiences, perspectives, and voices, each contributing to the collective whole.

For instance, while Joe Biden's announcement that his running mate would be a woman, his pledge to nominate the first black woman to the Supreme Court and Governor Newsome’s pledge to replace Senator Dianne Feinstein with a black woman may seem aligned with progressive ideals, I find the language used in these declarations to be problematic. These well-intentioned statements inadvertently support the Republican argument that diversity and merit cannot coexist. By artificially limiting the pool of candidates based only on race and gender, the Democrats essentially perpetuate this flawed notion. They seem to hand figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson these higher positions, using them as mere checkmarks to secure votes, and in doing so, undermining the remarkable accomplishments and qualifications of these women. Kamala Harris, for instance, reached a polling percentage of around 15% during her campaign for the Democratic nomination in 2020. Prior to that, she had a successful career as a Senator and attorney general in California. Kentaji Brown Jackson, likewise, has clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer, and served as a federal judge from 2013 to 2021. Both of these women have outstanding achievements and are frankly, beyond qualified for the positions they currently hold, but overtly using diversity to rationalize giving their positions instead of their exemplary qualifications devalues the achievements of both women.

I think Democrat US Representative Barbara Lee puts it best: “The idea that a Black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box is insulting to countless Black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election. Black women deserve more than a participation trophy. We need a seat at the table.” Reducing them to mere campaign promises or diversity checkboxes is not only disingenuous but borders on racism. To truly advance diversity, Democrats must embrace Dr. King's vision and recognize that diversity and merit often are one and the same. We as a party must break away from the notion that diversity compromises excellence. We must stop trying to justify our nominations to Republicans through their lens and understand that diverse perspectives and experiences actually enhance merit. In doing so, Democrats can and will lead the way in creating an authentically representative government.