Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Building opportunity that values individuality, fairness, and belonging over homogeneity, inequity, and exclusion.

Image courtesy of Sasun Bughdaryan

The courage of “&” in embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are crucial for creating a fair society where everyone has the chance to succeed, no matter their identity or background. Ignoring DEI doesn’t just mean being neutral; it leads to sameness, unfairness, and exclusion, which can hurt our communities and economy. The courage of “&” is about recognizing unique strengths and eliminating obstacles. It dismantles the fallacy that supporting marginalized individuals harms the privileged by ensuring everyone is given the opportunity to reach their full potential according to their needs.

Financial security

In Utah, a lack of DEI has serious implications for our economy and educational opportunities. When marginalized groups face barriers in education and employment, it creates long-term financial challenges that affect the entire state. Research indicates that increasing educational access for underrepresented groups can significantly boost workforce participation and drive innovation, ultimately contributing to economic growth. Investing in DEI is not just the humane thing to do; it is essential for the financial health and future prosperity of Utah.

Human dignity

Human dignity requires that people are evaluated as individuals, not discounted because of race, gender, disability, religion, or background. Claims of “reverse discrimination” often stem from the belief that promoting equity means giving priority to marginalized groups at the expense of privileged ones. However, that’s not the goal of DEI. Instead, DEI aims to create a level playing field where everyone has equal opportunities without diminishing the rights of any group. Equity focuses on removing unfair barriers for everyone, not creating new barriers; inclusion expands participation rather than narrowing it. A commitment to dignity means rejecting both discrimination and the false idea that fairness for some requires unfairness to others.

Real solutions

• Reinstate and fund inclusive public support programs: Restore government-funded programs in schools, universities, and public spaces that support marginalized communities by removing barriers to participation and success. These programs should be open to all who need them, with targeted outreach informed by documented disparities, ensuring access and support without instituting quotas or exclusion.
  

• Codify equal access with clear guardrails: Affirm in statute that diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are about expanding access, not mandating outcomes. Protect equal treatment under the law by prohibiting discrimination against any individual while allowing policies that broaden recruitment, improve evaluation fairness, and ensure public institutions serve the full diversity of Utah’s population.
  

• Require transparency and outcomes-based accountability: Shift the conversation from ideology to results by requiring public institutions to report on retention, completion, hiring, promotion, and discrimination resolution outcomes. Fund programs that demonstrably improve access and opportunity, and sunset those that do not, strengthening public trust while keeping government focused on measurable impact.
  

• Protect inclusion and safety in public spaces: Ensure state and local governments enforce anti-harassment protections, disability access, language access, and civil rights laws in schools, workplaces, and public facilities.
  

• Safeguard voluntary participation and freedom of conscience: Make clear that inclusion efforts in public institutions must be voluntary, non-coercive, and respectful of differing beliefs. This protects individual liberty while preserving the ability of communities to provide mentoring, cultural education, and support services that strengthen belonging without enforcing ideology.