Naomi Tannen: DEI makes America great

How did it happen that diversity, equity and inclusion became a mark of being anti-American and a reason to withhold funding from business and educational institutions? I thought that these three values were the bedrock of what makes America great. We have always been proud of the Statue of Liberty with its inscription “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.” All the major religions support the concept of welcoming the stranger.

Needless to say that the U.S.A. is totally a country of immigrants. People who have suffered prejudice and punishment under totalitarian governments have always dreamt of finding freedom in the United States. And now we have elected a president who has demonized immigrants and has spent his time and energy trying to evict those who have legitimately come to this country.

I feel like we have entered an Alice in Wonderland world where everything is topsy-turvy, upside down. We have treasured American values such as respecting education and making it available to everyone regardless of income, encouraging the arts in all its lovely diversity, policies that aim to care for those who are most vulnerable, and giving those with very humble beginnings the opportunity to succeed.

I hope that Americans from all political parties can join together to advocate for a country in which all can feel welcome and safe — and we can celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion. I have faith that our democracy will overcome this dark moment in our history.

Naomi Tannen

Florence