Debating diversity hiring
Regarding “Gov. Greg Abbott launches attack on diversity hiring programs in Texas,” (Feb. 8): Gov. Abbott is brave and doing the right thing to put the brakes on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion frenzy, which is madness.
Treating everyone equally is equality, by definition. Not favoring any ethnicity or race over another is the only fair way, by definition. Diversity hiring has been so rampant for so long and so widespread that it distorts the truth, pollutes minds and sets up an untouchable group of people.
Those who hire according to diversity programs intend to help certain demographic groups, but in my opinion they are harming them, taking away their dignity and their ability to compete, setting them up to fail for generations to come.
Ben Jiang, Pearland
I would like white people to become stronger by engaging in the conversation of racism. When we deny something, it’s like pushing a giant beach ball under the water and trying to keep it there. Eventually it is going to pop up to the surface.
This is what is happening in our society. We have reached a level of consciousness where the ugly truths of our ancestors are penetrating the American dream, and even “protecting” your children from learning about racism in school will not stop them from seeing that our society has been built to benefit white people at the expense of Black and brown people.
Gov. Abbott keeps using white privilege to push that beach ball back under the water, which is just going to cause more conflict. Consider a relationship where you lied or did something wrong. The worst thing you can do is continue to lie about it and pretend it did not happen — that is narcissistic gaslighting.
To reclaim our integrity as white people we must face the ugly truths, see the structures of white supremacy, acknowledge how we and our ancestors have mistreated Black and brown people, and start listening. Listen to different perspectives that challenge yours and make you feel uncomfortable. Feel everything that gets stirred up, and have some compassion for yourself. You were born into this system the same as everyone else. Don’t keep being a perpetrator through inaction or ignorance. Educate yourself and do better.
Kerri Hummingbird Sami, Austin