The Houston Peace and justice Center is appalled by attacks on, and false statements about, efforts to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
We want to make it clear that HPJC supports DEI efforts by private companies, organizations, government agencies, schools and universities, and individuals.
Promoting DEI is about justice – helping to ensure that those whose background made it more difficult to get an equal chance may now get an opportunity to succeed, as those from more privileged backgrounds have done. DEI makes our institutions and our country stronger, as well as helping individuals and their families to get a fair chance to do well in life.
Supporting DEI efforts helps to make the American dream more of a reality for ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities.
For example, we applaud policies, and effective steps to implement them, that help to give all applicants opportunities to jobs (and promotions), schools, etc. that others have had. We are grateful for actions taken to help everyone to get an fair chance to succeed in our companies, organizations, and society.
We want everyone to be able to have a fair chance at achieving the American dream and of making a better life for themselves and their family. This, in turn, strengthens our country, by helping to ensure that everyone can contribute to it.
Policies intended to destroy the mechanisms for giving everyone that fair chance should be vigorously opposed, and DEI measures that have been removed should be re-constituted, with positive public statements explaining how and why they are needed and how they help society – not just individuals.
We encourage everyone to stand up publicly in support of DEI, and against hateful, false, and misleading statements made to imply that DEI is hurting our society.