Discussion on DEI Policies and Perceptions

During a recent C-Span call, Delano Squires from the Heritage Foundation challenged a caller named Anwar, who questioned whether Squires considered himself a “Dei Hire.” This came against the backdrop of the Biden-Harris administration’s push for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with significant funds being allocated to related programs.

Anwar expressed skepticism about governmental actions regarding Black families and suggested that Squires might be neglecting crucial aspects of the discussion. After critiquing Squires’ views, he posed a final question regarding Squires’ role within the Heritage Foundation.

In response, Squires asserted that he does not view himself as a mere “day rental” for the organization. “I have the respect of my colleagues,” he stated. His commitment to the issues at hand has spanned more than a decade, with personal reflections on these matters dating back to when he was 15 years old. He added that while some proponents of DEI claim to support Black individuals, they sometimes use the framework to undermine those they disagree with, which he found quite interesting.

Despite the Democratic support for DEI, a July AP-NORC poll revealed troubling sentiments among both Black and Hispanic respondents. Many believe these programs could lead to greater discrimination against minorities. The survey, which included 1,437 adults, indicated that less than half of the American populace sees DEI as beneficial.

Specifically, around 40% of Black respondents and one-third of Hispanic respondents felt that DEI initiatives actually exacerbate discrimination against Black individuals, while approximately a quarter of White adults shared similar sentiments. The findings also highlighted significant divisions between the perceptions of White, Black, and Hispanic adults regarding discrimination issues.