Nan Lund responds to “DEI Efforts in Higher Education Deserve your Support,” a column by Elon professor Mathew Gendle. “Looking back 50 years to 1963 when Dr. King’s most famous speech was made, we can see the landmark actions that have improved the lives of all Americans. The Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act have made it easier for all of us to get fairer treatment in numerous situations.”
I want to thank the author of the excellent article “DEI efforts in higher education deserve your support” and also the Salisbury Post editor for publishing it. (1/11/24) It is very timely as we approach the birthday and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As noted, there has often been pushback against the idea of applying affirmative actions to make equitable opportunities for all people. This comes from misunderstandings about both the goals and the consequences of these actions. Looking back 50 years to 1963 when Dr. King’s most famous speech was made, we can see the landmark actions that have improved the lives of all Americans. The Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act have made it easier for all of us to get fairer treatment in numerous situations. The goal of these and other actions were not to take something from one segment of the population and give it to another segment; it has always been to give everyone an equal chance. We have made progress, but we are still a long way from that ideal. Statistics on poverty, early death, poor schools, homelessness and most other measures of social values demonstrate year after year that there are huge gaps between different segments of the population. I don’t see how anyone can feel that that is OK. If there is any chance to turn this around, it will be through individuals — not laws- who are willing to take off their blinders and see that some people are still confronting barriers, being ignored, being demeaned and then work to encourage equity in our multiple complexity of systems. It’s not only be the right thing to do; it also will benefit us all.
Nan Lund