To the Editor:

Let me start by acknowledging that I’m a white male. Until about 10 years ago I considered myself a conservative Republican with a social conscience. I am now genuinely confused by the opposition to Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that come almost exclusively from white males. Although white males make up only 30% of the U.S. population, they possess a far greater proportion of wealth and power.

I’ve heard people say that every person in America has the same opportunities. What a dishonest statement! Many young Americans today are forced into situations that you and I have likely never had to consider. Many are in those situations through no fault of their own, or even the fault of their parents. I recognize that, as a white male, I’ve most likely had easier access to opportunities that minorities have not. I could chalk some of these opportunities up to “being in the right place at the right time.” However, I recognize that it’s very possible I would not have ended up in those places at those times if I wasn’t a white male and had the advantages that come with being a white male. My white family never faced racial segregation and discrimination. My white family never faced redlining when looking for a house. My white family was never a victim of the racial wealth gap that resulted from this country’s history of segregation and other discriminatory policies. We never faced the problems that minorities faced because of centuries of oppression, discrimination and systemic racism. This judgment is baked into our society and continues to impact young people today.

Indeed, we have a long way to go. DEI is meant to be a tool to help get us there. Is it perfect? No. Can DEI initiatives be improved upon? Absolutely. But those opposed to DEI are moving us in the wrong direction. Those opposed to DEI initiatives make a conscious decision to ignore the negative effects that our nation's history of racism and oppression continues to have on a significant portion of society. Are those that oppose DEI so insecure that simply acknowledging our history of oppression and racism, and working towards justice for all, is a threat to them?

We must acknowledge our nation’s history of discrimination and institutional racism in order as a country to address the problem. Instead, there are people at the highest levels of state and federal government supported by powerful people supporting them in the shadows advocating for this inequitable society. A society where we force certain groups of people to struggle through life with injustice as a mandatory condition.

David Bolesh
Lisbon