Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, I wrote a blog-post titled, Diversity and Inclusion Makes Us Smarter. I didn't see the irony in the title until now. This post was part of my personal *IMO series. (*in my opinion) and it was published just two years ago in 2023 when it seemed more widely understood that diversity and inclusion actually does make us smarter.
Diversity and Inclusion challenges our thinking, broadens our perspectives, and forces us to problem-solve in more innovative ways. Not just better, not just kinder, but smarter.
When you bring together (a.k.a. include) people from different backgrounds, they approach problems differently and bring diversity of thought. This means more ideas, more angles, and fewer blind spots. Homogeneous groups tend to reinforce existing assumptions, while diverse teams ask better questions and challenge the status quo and this is what has built the melting pot of America over many years.
What would life be like today if America hated on these (famous) immigrants:
Albert Einstein
Einstein, one of the greatest minds in history, fled Nazi Germany and took refuge in America, where he changed the course of science forever. His Theory of Relativity revolutionized physics, and his letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt played a key role in the development of the Manhattan Project, helping end World War II. Beyond science, he was a vocal advocate for civil rights, speaking out against racism in America.
Madeleine Albright
Albright fled communist Czechoslovakia and eventually became the first female U.S. Secretary of State. She played a pivotal role in shaping American foreign policy, advocating for human rights, democracy, and diplomacy. Her leadership in NATO expansion and intervention in the Balkans helped prevent mass atrocities and strengthened global alliances.
Dr. Patricia Bath
The daughter of a Jamaican immigrant father, Dr. Bath revolutionized the field of ophthalmology. She was the first Black female doctor to receive a medical patent for inventing the Laserphaco Probe, a device that restored sight to people suffering from cataracts. Her work broke barriers in both medicine and racial equity, improving vision care worldwide and paving the way for more diversity in STEM fields.
And yet, here we are, watching a dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the American government and all across corporate America. And just like that, in one fell swoop, we’re making our nation dumber, less competitive, and, ironically, less free.
What Is Happening?
DEI programs across the nation are now being defunded, denounced, and dismissed. Politicians call them divisive. They claim these initiatives create ‘reverse discrimination.’ They say that removing them is about restoring ‘meritocracy.’ But here’s what they won’t say: that this rollback is an act of willful ignorance, one that will have deep and unintended consequences across every industry, community, and institution.
For decades, extensive research has shown that diverse teams outperform homogenous ones. Diversity fosters creativity. It breeds innovation. It forces us to question assumptions and consider perspectives beyond our own. Without DEI efforts, we aren’t just losing programs, we’re losing critical thinking. We’re losing solutions before they’re even imagined. And, most dangerously, we’re losing progress we’ve already made.
Welcome To the land of "great again."
The Brain Drain Begins
Corporations and institutions that have embraced DEI as a competitive advantage are now looking at American policies and wondering, why should we stay? Global companies will soon begin to attract top talent elsewhere, where diversity is celebrated, not criminalized.
Great.
Echo Chambers Become the Norm
When leaders hire and promote only those who look, think, and act like them, innovation stagnates. We become an echo chamber of outdated ideas. Remember when Kodak ignored digital photography? Or when Blockbuster dismissed Netflix? Homogeneity breeds complacency, and complacency kills.
So great.
Higher Education Takes a Hit
Universities rely on diverse talent pools, research grants, and forward-thinking policies to thrive. A government that sidelines DEI (and research grants, for that matter) will find its universities slipping in global rankings, making American degrees less valuable and our future workforce less prepared.
Again, great!
Economic Growth Stalls
The McKinsey Global Institute has repeatedly found that companies with diverse leadership are more profitable. By erasing DEI, we are actively choosing lower economic growth. It’s self-sabotage on a national scale.
Really? Great!
The Real Irony
The argument against DEI is often disguised as a defense of ‘merit.’ But true meritocracy only exists when everyone has a fair shot at success. DEI doesn’t lower the bar, it removes the invisible obstacles that keep qualified people from even getting in the room. Without these initiatives, meritocracy isn’t restored; it’s weaponized to keep the status quo in power.
In short, diversity isn’t just about fairness, it’s about functioning at the highest level possible. When we dismantle DEI, we don’t just lose programs. We lose our edge.
It all comes from a place of hate, fear and exclusion and not love, courage and inclusion.
The United States has always been a land of reinvention. We are now at a pivotal moment where we can choose to step backward or push forward. The dismantling of DEI is a choice to retreat but America will only take so much.
Leaders, true leaders, will recognize that diversity isn’t a political liability; it’s an economic and intellectual necessity. Bubble of love communities, like Eureka Springs, will continue to fight for representation and acceptance. Businesses that value diversity will outperform those that don’t. And history will show that those who tried to erase progress only ended up erasing themselves.
The world is dynamic. A diverse nation performing roles of influence is naturally better at navigating change because they’ve had different life experiences that shape how they react to uncertainty, risk, and new challenges.
Countries and companies that embrace diversity lead in innovation, talent acquisition, and global influence. Those that reject it risk falling behind. Do we lean into what makes us smarter? Or do we let fear make us (ahem) "great again?"
My fellow Americans, welcome to this new chapter in America called, "Great Again" where you're included, and you are, too! But not you, you're different. You're not included, and neither is your trans-friend or your handicapped neighbor.
Sadly, this is now our state of America.
United? No!
That's not the state of things here now.
It's all hate.
Oh, great.
Just great.
Great.
❤️
SAVE-THE-DATE
Join us in Eureka Springs, Arkansas from April 4-6, 2025, for a vibrant celebration of love, diversity, and community as we celebrate Eureka Springs' Spring Diversity Weekend!
This weekend-long event is our unique take on LGBTQ+ Pride, set against the stunning backdrop of the Ozarks during the start of our beautiful spring season.
What to Expect:
City-Wide Festivities: Enjoy a variety of diversity-themed events hosted by local businesses, including drag shows, meet-ups, advocacy events, workshops, and performances.
Natural Beauty: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of sprouting greenery, beautiful mountains trees, and serene lakes. Explore numerous hiking trails and experience the great outdoors.
Charming Downtown: Discover unique shops, quaint restaurants and lounges, and the welcoming atmosphere that has made Eureka Springs a mecca of diversity in the South.
Community Connection: Gather with folks from all walks of life, build lasting friendships, learn from one another, and simply have fun in a supportive, inclusive, safe environment.
Why It's Special:
Eureka Springs Diversity Weekends are uniquely sponsored by our local businesses, people, and organizations-not corporate dollars. This grassroots support makes our celebration authentic and truly special. Register here: www.outineureka.org
IMO is a blog-series where I, John-Michael Scurio, express my own personal opinion about some subject or situation. "But what about the opinions of others?" people ask. "Yeah, that!" I reply,"Well, this specific blog-series isn't about other opinions - just mine. If I opened it all up to other opinions, I'd need to change the acronym (IMO) to something else and it probably wouldn't feel as cool, but, hey, that's also just my opinion."
Do you want me to write and *IMO blog-post about something new? Tell me about it: jmscurio@yahoo.com Please take a moment to check out the different posts in this particular blog series on www.iloveureka.com
Comentários