The Hypocrisy of the Right's War Against DEI:

 A Case Study in Pete Hegseth's Confirmation Hearing

Benny Andrews, Growing Up, via SAAM

As we anticipate Pete Hegseth's confirmation as Secretary of Defense, I can't help but chuckle at the hypocrisy of the Right's crusade against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The entire confirmation hearing serves as a stark illustration of why DEI initiatives are not only necessary but critical to the functioning of our nation. His allegations of sexual assault, for which he paid a settlement, derogatory remarks about women in the military, and his history of being dragged out of clubs for excessive drinking should disqualify him from such a monumental job. Yet, Republican senators praised Hegseth as some kind of maverick, a figure capable of enacting change in the Defense Department by eliminating what they call, "woke policies." They dismissed his very limited military experience, patting his time in the National Guard on the back as Purple Heart-worthy. He held the rank of Major, considered the most junior of the senior officer ranks. In contrast, his outgoing counterpart, Lloyd Austin—a Black man—was a four-star general with over 40 years of military experience. A typical overachiever of Black excellence, Austin earned the right to hold his position, yet they have the nerve to label Austin as a DEI hire?

Watching Hegseth's confirmation process, I noted another glaring lack of experience in running large organizations. The largest organization he managed comprised just 100 people. Transitioning from managing a small team to overseeing three million in the military is not a task to be taken lightly. Yet here we are, positioning someone so ill-equipped for such a monumental responsibility.

This whole circus reflects a crucial truth about American politics: Credentials are irrelevant, professional achievements carry little weight, and ethics are a blank canvas where anything can be written. This man couldn't even say whether someone committing rape would be a disqualifying factor for being Defense Secretary. When questioned about his preparedness by members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, several senators, such as Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Jack Reed (D-RI), received flat, surface-level answers that lacked depth and understanding of the role. He failed to provide specific examples of how he would adapt military strategies to evolving threats like cybersecurity. These are questions you should be prepared for, even if you didn’t do the work yourself—at the very least, you should understand the work you claim to be doing. Even school cheaters try harder. It was painfully obvious that Hegseth planned to rely on his arrogance and "TV personality" charm to get him through the confirmation—and you know what? It worked.

DEI VS. WEI

As the Right bemoans meritocracy versus quotas, reverse racism, and corporate woke policies, the rest of us contend with everyday microaggressions that come with being Black, a woman, or a person of color. The constant belittling, mansplaining, and accusations of being aggressive merely by virtue of having a pulse, coupled with instances such as Hegseth,  being passed over for promotions or jobs we are more than qualified for, are exhausting. 

As if contending with human bias wasn't enough, we now have to play both offense and defense with AI. Resumes are now being screened by AI for recruiters by utilizing algorithms to analyze and filter candidate qualifications, skills, and experiences against job descriptions. "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps," they say; "get an education," they say; "stay out of the criminal justice system," they say; and yet, we are making little progress in the quality of life we are working so hard to achieve. The American Dream is a farce, and I, for one, am tired. Tired of trying to save America from itself, and tired of reaching for the stars with all my degrees in hand, only to touch dust.

The plain, very boring, and vanilla truth is that America doesn't want to be great; it wants to stay white. If it genuinely wanted to be the greatest country in the world, it would embrace diversity—not just because it's morally right, but because it's profitable. And that's the real gag. Like white women voting against their own interests, the white patriarchy is leaving millions—billions, even—on the table simply because they can't fathom sitting in a boardroom with someone whose skin is darker than a brown paper bag.

McKinsey & Company, a business consulting firm, produced a report in 2020, "Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters," which highlights that companies with more diverse teams are likely to outperform their peers in profitability. Additionally, Page, S. E. (2007). "The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools, and Societies." Princeton University Press discusses how diverse teams can produce more innovative solutions and make better decisions compared to homogenous groups. A report from Deloitte, "The Leader’s Guide to Inclusion," highlights the positive impact of inclusive workplaces on employee engagement and retention. Numerous reports from top business and consulting firms consistently conclude that diversity in the workplace leads to higher financial performance, increased innovation, market competitiveness, employee satisfaction, and retention.

For the next four years, we will likely witness a parade of WEI hires (White, Entitled, and Incompetent) who will run rampant across our government, causing incalculable harm to many marginalized communities—just for sport. As if there were no real pressing issues that need resolution for the American people. Disaster relief, housing, healthcare, and the cost of living, just to name a few. But then again, that is not their intended goal. They are solely interested in the objectives of their big-pocketed friends: Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos.

Meanwhile, our international allies and adversaries alike will watch with popcorn in hand, bemused by the evident incompetence that will characterize the incoming administration. In less than 24 hours, Trump signed nearly 100 executive orders, dismantling many of Biden's progressive protections related to climate, healthcare, immigration, and policing, effectively sidelining pressing domestic issues that would significantly improve everyday American lives. Make no mistake, most of these initial executive orders are for optics. One thing Trump excels at is putting on a spectacle; the difference now is that these policies, like voting, have consequences. Sadly, many of the people who voted for this administration are going to realize just how bamboozled they were. At the end of the day, Trump is a narcissistic conman and grifter who only cares about how much he can squeeze out of his uneducated constituents, with no consideration for whether they can afford basic necessities, such as real food (not McDonald’s) or a safe roof over their heads.