Vartanian: All Americans should have equality of opportunity

Over the years, when people have asked me where I stood on the issue of DEI, I would almost immediately respond that I am against it.  But in reality, after giving this a great deal of thought, I don’t think this is an accurate answer – for many of us, really. Most people don’t have any issues with diversity and inclusion. The concept and ideals behind these two are good for society and beneficial for organizations and companies.  But equity is where it gets sticky.

When talented people of diverse backgrounds work together, they are better equipped to solve complex problems.  A variety of experiences helps the brainstorming process and leads to better outcomes.  When people don’t feel like they are included in the process, they are less likely to buy-in to the solutions.  So inclusivity is central to effective leadership.  However, equity is something that is earned and not given.  Equality of opportunity is what all Americans should have.

The primary opposition to DEI comes from the methods used to implement it, and not from the principles behind it. The perception is that it relies on quotas and not merit. Before Joe Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, he told the world that he was going to pick a black woman.  He effectively reduced the qualified pool of candidates by eliminating all Caucasian men and women, all Hispanic men and women, all Asian men and women and all black men.  Because of this, she will forever be remembered as the DEI Supreme Court Justice.  Proponents of DEI get offended when their champions are labeled this way because deep down, they know that it wasn’t a fair competition.  The outcome was what they wanted, but it is forever tainted.

Kudos to whistle blowers at UCLA’s Medical School for exposing their failed diversity implementation. They say that the school has dramatically lowered admissions standards for minority applicants and, as a result, 50% of some cohorts now fail basic tests of medical competence.  Does anyone want to see one of these doctors when their life is at stake? Would you want to see any doctor coming out of UCLA without being able to discern who got a free pass to the medical school based on a pre-determined quota of ethnicity or gender and not merit? 

I applaud the efforts of the Kapor Center in identifying a solution to this problem.  They identify high potential students of color in high school, and work with leading universities throughout the country to prepare them for college and expose them to work opportunities.  The program is based on ability and merit – and focuses on presenting opportunities once thought unobtainable.  It might take longer, and it might cost more, but it is a fair and sustainable solution.

In this country, we should all have an equal opportunity to succeed, but that all depends on how hard one is willing to work for it.  If we want a more diverse workforce, we should focus more on math and science and less on organized sports.  For most high school athletes, if they spent as much time studying as they did for their sport, outcomes would be much different. In like manner, if we focus our efforts on equal opportunity – then work ethic and merit will be the determinants of a Diverse and Inclusive environment in our schools, workforce and society.

We can do this. And should do this. Together. We’ll be better for it. But, we have to have a level playing field to succeed in implementing the goals of DEI without tainting or perverting those same goals by applying it in a way that discriminates against certain ethnicities or genders right from the outset. I would think most people see this as common sense.

Sevag Vartanian is a financial professional and Republican candidate for the University of Michigan Board of Regents