DEI Can Die (or Not), but Let’s Have Something Consistently Dedicated to Black People

by Kenneth Hawkins A friend told the whole world, or at least anyone who knew him through LinkedIn, that he’d support DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), no matter what our Florida governor decided. That might get him fired because he was only recently hired as a college instructor and is unprotected by tenure. I salute my friend for standing on business, as the colloquium goes. That said, I would like to qualify my agreement.  Before you get upset and think here’s another Black man who doesn’t choose us because he’s critical of DEI, know that I do support diversity insomuch that Black people, and Black males in particular, should be the first group to be served through DEI. I don’t think DEI has contributed enough to support Black students over the years. And while what I’m saying is true, we should not – and I would like to emphasize this point – abscond from such a policy. As a Black man, I don’t believe we can afford to fully upend any racial initiative, no matter how slow it is to offer change. We should garner what we can while, simultaneously, legislating for more impactful policies. Indeed, we should hold onto...