DEI programs solve a systemic problem, and there is overwhelming evidence the problem is systemic.
For white people, this presents 2 main problems:
1. Admitting to themselves they are part of a system that is inherently racist.
2. Job competition is higher because DEI programs actively work against the system, allowing more qualified candidates to be considered for roles.
Both of these make white people angry. (1/3)
Saying the system is racist feels like a personal attack on folks who don’t consider themselves racist.
They convince themselves the candidates sourced through DEI programs are less qualified and hired only because they are “diverse.”
So they differentiate the old system as “merit-based,” even though it’s definitely not, because when they’re hired under it, it must be due to their own merit/worth that they were hired and not because the system favored hiring white men. (2/3)
The fact is, DEI programs turn the system into a more merit-based one and open up a wider pool of talent than traditional systems allow for.
If you want to hire the best people for the job, why would you use a system that doesn’t source the best candidates? (3/3)
Ben Ramsey
Matt Jordan