Abbott warns against diversity initiatives in hiring

The office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (right) sent out a letter to state agencies and public universities warning them to terminate Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the hiring process, calling it illegal. The message raises objections to it.

Last Monday, Abbott Chief of Staff, Gardner Pate, sent a note heads of states.

“As Texans, we welcome the diversity of our state and the presence of a workforce that represents our rich
culture. However, in recent years, the innocuous-sounding notion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
manipulated to promote policies that clearly favor certain demographic groups, to the detriment of
others,” wrote Pate.

It does not state which groups or what prompted the letter.

Pate continues: “Indeed, instead of increasing diversity in the workplace, these DEI initiatives have
the opposite effect and are promoted in ways that actively encourage discrimination in
workplace. Illegally adding DEI requirements as an employment screening tool or using DEI as
conditions of employment lead to the exclusion and alienation of persons from the workplace”.

The letter continues: “When a government agency adjusts its recruitment practices based on factors other than merit, it is not following the law.”

The Texas Black Legislature openly opposed the letter and Twitter that he plans to hold a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday to oppose the governor’s “anti-DEI agenda.”

“Abandoning DEI initiatives will only hurt Texas institutions. Our diversity is our strength. Too often, African Americans and minorities were excluded from consideration for employment, even if they were qualified,” said Chairman Ron Reynolds.

DEI initiatives have been used as a way to create an inclusive space for people of all backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, physical and mental abilities, gender, religion, age, socioeconomic status, and veterans. Permission to include people from different walks of life who historically may have been excluded or underrepresented.

“When you understand that DEI initiatives have a lot of benefits for businesses, agencies and universities that are based on research, then you understand why these solutions are used by so many people, by so many leaders in society,” said Jandel Crutchfield. assistant professor of social work and director of DEI at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work.

When asked about her reaction to the letter, Crutchfield said, “As an educator, I tried to lead with curiosity and I immediately became curious about how DEI was presented as something harmful or discriminatory because that’s not what my experience is.” with it or what the research says about DEI, so I didn’t know where it came from.”

Governor’s spokeswoman Ranae Eze said, “The letter from the Governor’s Chief of Staff is a reminder that state agencies and public universities must follow federal and state laws when hiring. Both federal and state laws make share quotas illegal. The problem is not diversity, the problem is that fairness is not equality. Here in Texas, we give people a chance to move forward through talent and merit.”

“If we recognize the issue of racial exclusion or exclusion based on other parts of our identity that these politicians are trying to solve, I think it makes sense for people to celebrate it. You know, I find it a little problematic. the concept of merit versus diversity, right? I think merit and diversity can exist. And there are many companies and universities around the world that show that this is the case.

Michael Maslanka, assistant professor of law at UNT Dallas School of Law, said he believes the memo threatens agency hiring and could affect the future.

“The memo demonizes the DEI and stigmatizes it for what it is not, that’s my problem with the memo, it’s intellectually dishonest,” Maslanka said of the letter.

“A note is a donut, what is a donut? It looks nice, it has sprinkles on it, maybe it’s tasty, but the nutritional value is zero, the conclusion is the same, it seems to be the same, but the substances have zero value, the reminder is a donut, ”said Maslanka.