Re: “I’m a DEI hire. Here’s why I’m fighting for these programs” (March 15, Opinion):
Professor Charlie Collins’ commentary is each mistaken and deceptive. He’s incorrect to equate extending alternatives to economically deprived college students with range, fairness and inclusion, particularly DEI because it has been practiced within the latest previous. Actually, many critics of race-based DEI and affirmative motion are robust supporters of applications based mostly on socioeconomic standing.
Collins additionally repeats the mistaken competition that range based mostly on immutable traits improves efficiency. This has been studied extensively, most notably in a peer-reviewed meta-review of greater than 200 revealed research. The authors conclude “ … that surface-level, social-category variations, resembling these of race/ethnicity, gender, or age, are typically extra more likely to have unfavorable results on the flexibility of teams to operate successfully. Against this, underlying variations, resembling variations in practical background, training, or persona, are extra usually positively associated to efficiency” (Sage Journals).
True range of expertise, thought and experience is efficacious. Fairness within the type of equal procedural equity for everybody builds a trusting group. Inclusion based mostly on who individuals are as people is each productive and simply plain good manners. Collins’ private success is a testomony to how nicely these values have lengthy been embraced by America.
Ross Elkin, Seattle
