Opinion: Challenging the Status Quo – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Scottsdale
A Momentous Decision: The End of Governmental DEI Programs
In a turn of events that defies the current societal push towards inclusivity, Scottsdale City Council has recently approved Ordinance No. 4662. This decision signifies the conclusion of government-sponsored Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the city. Five members of the council voted in favor of this, a move that discontinues city funding for what the measure describes as “systematic” DEI programs, a significant part of which includes training.
What Next for the DEI Office and Staff?
The prickly parts of this ordinance extend beyond the termination of these programs. The ordinance directs the city manager to reallocate roles such as the “diversity program director” and “compliance coordinator” for the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. These individuals must now occupy positions within other departments deemed appropriate by the management.
Redefining Diversity and Inclusion
During the council meeting, Councilman Adam Kwasman expressed his views on the situation. He argued that DEI, as a concept within its current context, filters policies through the categories of race and sex, which he believes obstructs diversity of thought. Kwasman’s stance represents an intriguing twist in the ongoing discourse surrounding DEI. He posits that this initiative, intended to promote inclusion and equity, may be unintentionally fostering a narrow and exclusive ideology.
Opposition and Controversy: The Tricky Bits of Ordinance No. 4662
While some council members were in favor of the decision, Councilwoman Solange Whitehead vocally disagreed. She suggested that the ordinance is a redundant measure that addresses non-existent problems and sends a global message of exclusivity. Whitehead warned of the intimidating implications and the potential downside risks that were numerous and incalculable with the passage of the ordinance.
The Proposed Solution? Merit-based Employment
The council’s decision also however paves the way for “merit-based employment.” The supporters of the ordinance believe that this employment practice, which is based on merit rather than any forms of discrimination, will ensure fairness and equality. It also targets to safeguard city employees, making sure they are hired, evaluated, and promoted solely on their capabilities.
A Deep Dive into Meritocracy and Inclusion
Though merit-based evaluation appears to be an objective and fair practice at first glance, the nitty-gritty details can paint a more complicated picture. Whitehead argued that police officers and water scientists, among others, were already hired for their merits. She also pointed out a purposeful conflating of those who disapprove of certain government programs and those with sincere intentions to foster a diverse community, generating a tangled situation that will need careful untangling.
A New Path: The Implications for Diversity and Inclusion
The vote in Scottsdale City Council signifies a critical step in the development of DEI initiatives, at least within the city limits. Many may perceive Scottsdale’s decision as a setback to the progress of promoting diversity and inclusion in American society. But others, like Kwasman, may see it as an opportunity for a constructive dialogue to take a closer look at the aims and outcomes of such programs. What then does this mean for the future of inclusion, diversity, and equity not just in Scottsdale, but across the nation? Only time can provide an answer.
Originally Post From https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/nation-world/arizona-city-council-scraps-dei-programs-backs-merit-based-hiring-scottsdale-ordinance-no-4662-diversity-equity-and-inclusion
