In the article "Some DEI Programs Aren’t Worth Defending," Eric Levitz discusses the contentious landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as the Trump administration embarks on a campaign against them. While some Democrats advocate for less emphasis on defending DEI, arguing that class-based approaches could be more effective in addressing inequalities, others warn that Trump’s attacks threaten to roll back civil rights gains. Levitz acknowledges that while some DEI programs are flawed and can sometimes perpetuate biases or inefficiencies, this does not justify the administration’s broader war on racial and gender equality. He emphasizes that recognizing the merits and shortcomings of DEI initiatives is crucial to maintaining public support for equity efforts.

Key Points:

• The Trump administration targets DEI programs despite these not being central to his campaign promises.
• Some Democrats suggest focusing on class-based solutions rather than defending all DEI initiatives.
• Class-based activism, like unionization, may effectively address economic disparities more than DEI measures.
• Critics argue some corporate DEI programs can be ineffective or even counterproductive.
• Specific DEI initiatives, like those in the FAA, faced criticism for potentially compromising merit and fairness.
• The article suggests that while flaws exist in some DEI programs, they are still necessary for promoting racial and gender equity.
• Levitz concludes that Democrats need to be selective in defending DEI initiatives to avoid undermining genuine equality efforts.
  Link to Article