Saturday Truth Drop: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Are American Values

Let’s have a little Saturday truth talk — with coffee, conviction, and just a dash of righteous fire.

You may have noticed that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — or DEI, for short — have suddenly become dirty words in certain political circles. Overnight, they’ve been branded as some kind of sinister plot, like fluoride in the water or books in school. According to the loudest voices on the far right, DEI is “un-American,” “anti-merit,” and “woke poison.” (Spoiler: they don’t even know what “woke” means anymore — they just know they’re against it.)

But here’s the thing: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion aren’t un-American.

They are, in fact, the most American values we’ve ever had.

🇺🇸 Let’s start with Diversity

You know what you call a country made up of immigrants, refugees, dreamers, and descendants of every continent on Earth?

America.

Diversity isn’t just some trendy corporate goal or campus buzzword — it’s how this nation exists. From the Irish and Italian waves of the 19th century, to Black Americans demanding civil rights, to Asian, Hispanic, African, and Middle Eastern immigrants building businesses and communities across every state — this country thrives on the richness of difference.

It’s not always been comfortable. It’s not always been kind. But it’s the truth. The United States has never been a melting pot — we’re a damn potluck. And the table is bigger (and better) when everyone brings something to share.

⚖️ Equity: Not the Same as Equality

This one rattles some cages. Equality is everyone getting the same size shoes. Equity is making sure they fit.

Equity recognizes that we don’t all start at the same place. Some of us come to the starting line barefoot, with potholes in our lanes. Some of us were born halfway down the track. Pretending that’s not true is what’s actually “anti-merit.”

Equity levels the playing field so talent, effort, and ability can rise, not just privilege and connections. If America is truly the land of opportunity, then equity is the scaffolding that lets more people climb.

🫶 Inclusion: Who Gets to Sit at the Table?

Inclusion asks: Who’s in the room? Who gets a voice? Who gets to feel like they belong?

It’s not enough to invite people into institutions, workplaces, or schools and then leave them isolated, tokenized, or dismissed. Inclusion means recognizing the value each person brings and actually letting it shape the conversation.

We can’t claim to be the land of the free while telling people to sit down and be quiet once they walk in the door. Inclusion is freedom — in action.

The Ugly Truth

The loudest attacks on DEI right now aren’t really about hiring, college admissions, or who got a scholarship.

They’re about fear. Fear that power might be shared. Fear that history might be told honestly. Fear that systems might finally be required to serve all of us, not just a chosen few.

If you’ve always had a seat at the table, someone else pulling up a chair might feel like you’re being pushed out. But you’re not. You’re just being asked to share. Like we were taught in kindergarten.

We’re Better Than This

America at its best is an aspiration — a promise to do better, be better, and make room. Every movement for justice, from abolition to suffrage to civil rights to marriage equality, was branded as “radical” and “divisive” — until it became accepted history. DEI is just the next step on the arc of progress.

You want American values?

Try these on for size: Liberty. Justice. Opportunity. For. All.

That’s not some left-wing slogan. That’s the Pledge of Allegiance.

Stay loud, stay bold, and keep fighting for the America we’ve always been meant to be.

– Julie Bolejack, MBA

P.S. If you’re tired of hearing “DEI is un-American,” just remember that the opposite of inclusion is exclusion — and that didn’t look good the last time anyone tried it with water fountains or school doors.