Who is secretly a little relieved to see the end of DEI policies and trainings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not DEI training, but its use as a filter for jobs and research grants that is most harmful.

You should read an article called "How ‘Diversity’ Turned Tyrannical"

Several years ago, one began to see an additional criterion in advertisements for faculty openings. As a recent Cornell ad puts it: “Also required is a statement of diversity, equity and inclusion describing the applicant’s efforts and aspirations to promote equity, inclusion and diversity through teaching, research and service.” This sort of requirement became more common and is now virtually ubiquitous. Of the 25 most recent advertisements for junior faculty that appeared in Physics Today online listings as of Oct. 15—from research institutions like Caltech to liberal-arts colleges like Bryn Mawr, and even in areas as esoteric as quantum engineering and theoretical astrophysics—24 require applicants to demonstrate an explicit, active commitment to the DEI agenda.

This isn’t merely pro forma; it’s a real barrier to employment. The life-sciences department at the University of California, Berkeley reports that it rejected 76% of applicants in 2018-19 based on their diversity statements without looking at their research records. A colleague at a major research institution, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her students, wrote to me: “I have a student on the market this year, agonizing more on the diversity statement than on the research proposal. He even took training where they taught them how to write one. It breaks my heart to see this.” Other colleagues relate that their white male postdocs aren’t getting interviews or have chosen to seek jobs outside academia.

Assuming you have a basic understanding of the obstacles to equity and some level of actual willingness to address them, how hard could it be to write a statement like that? It's a pretty low bar and it's honestly sad and ridiculous to hear people complaining about the idea that job applicants would be asked how they plan to make sure that their research and teaching is inclusive and doesn't leave some groups of people behind...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even 17 year old high school students have to write essays about diversity. The essay prompts make you feel guilty for not being black or Hispanic.

If you want to understand why Trump won, DEI would be one of the top issues. My cousin who is a professor in a STEM field, who had been a hard core left wing liberal, got fed up with democrats. He voted for republicans, thought not for Trump.

Middle school too.

And some elementary kids depending on the teacher or state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always find the HR trainings funny...some of the scenarios are so ridiculous you just have to laugh, although I'm sure they all have happened at least once!

A (old white male) director once complained to a couple of us staff that he had to sit through a training a training on micro-aggressions "or whatever that is". Minutes later, as a newer coworker introduced himself pronouncing his name with a rolled r (in his native accent), that same director goes "Oh come on, now say it the American way!" Clearly the director had snoozed through training.

[Anonymous]

I am glad it’s gone. Too much, too far out there.

[Anonymous]

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be "cured" against one's will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even 17 year old high school students have to write essays about diversity. The essay prompts make you feel guilty for not being black or Hispanic.

If you want to understand why Trump won, DEI would be one of the top issues. My cousin who is a professor in a STEM field, who had been a hard core left wing liberal, got fed up with democrats. He voted for republicans, thought not for Trump.

Things that never happened for $1000.

I am loving Trump more every single minute. He is going to put you guys through hell!! Enjoy!!!

"No - the liberals are the hateful ones." Ok.

[Anonymous]

I must say I was a bit surprised that our anti-harassment training was cancelled, is that really considered DEI?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I found raced-based trainings and lectures to be very odd. It felt discriminatory and divisive.

[Anonymous]

A few years ago, I interviewed a secretary candidate. After finding out that she wasn’t hired, candidate lies and said I had said racist things in the interview. I was really mad because I was assumed guilty by HR, though I had 20 years experience with the company. I was really upset after looking online about the protections that are in place for people who boldly lie about racism. I basically realized I had no rights and saying or doing anything could be considered a hostile work environment.

Our company hired her for another position. I would have loved to have warned the manager of the other position but given protections put in place for this behavior, I’ve never said a word.

DEI has gone too far.

[Anonymous]

Oh my gosh me!! Every single one of our "get to know XX company" videos is showcasing our trans employees. Their careers have skyrocketed. It's frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is against sign language interpretation?

Huh? We had sign language interpretation long before DEI.

It’s been cancelled as part of DEI cancellations.

There was no “before DEI” unless you mean before 1964.., there is only “before the term DEI was used as a propaganda dog whistle “

No it hasn't. It's an ADA requirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

A few years ago, I interviewed a secretary candidate. After finding out that she wasn’t hired, candidate lies and said I had said racist things in the interview. I was really mad because I was assumed guilty by HR, though I had 20 years experience with the company. I was really upset after looking online about the protections that are in place for people who boldly lie about racism. I basically realized I had no rights and saying or doing anything could be considered a hostile work environment.

Our company hired her for another position. I would have loved to have warned the manager of the other position but given protections put in place for this behavior, I’ve never said a word.

DEI has gone too far.

I think most federal managers have similar trauma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I must say I was a bit surprised that our anti-harassment training was cancelled, is that really considered DEI?

Nobody knows. Definitions were not used. Right now, even agencies I consider relatively courageous in pushback are being extra cautious because they had to put people on leave and it looks like trying to get terminated - bodies that they desperately need elsewhere and don’t want to lose any more. Legal hasn’t had a chance to weigh in. Even once we get more clarity, it is likely that those trainings will need to be reviewed and retooled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not DEI training, but its use as a filter for jobs and research grants that is most harmful.

You should read an article called "How ‘Diversity’ Turned Tyrannical"

Several years ago, one began to see an additional criterion in advertisements for faculty openings. As a recent Cornell ad puts it: “Also required is a statement of diversity, equity and inclusion describing the applicant’s efforts and aspirations to promote equity, inclusion and diversity through teaching, research and service.” This sort of requirement became more common and is now virtually ubiquitous. Of the 25 most recent advertisements for junior faculty that appeared in Physics Today online listings as of Oct. 15—from research institutions like Caltech to liberal-arts colleges like Bryn Mawr, and even in areas as esoteric as quantum engineering and theoretical astrophysics—24 require applicants to demonstrate an explicit, active commitment to the DEI agenda.

This isn’t merely pro forma; it’s a real barrier to employment. The life-sciences department at the University of California, Berkeley reports that it rejected 76% of applicants in 2018-19 based on their diversity statements without looking at their research records. A colleague at a major research institution, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her students, wrote to me: “I have a student on the market this year, agonizing more on the diversity statement than on the research proposal. He even took training where they taught them how to write one. It breaks my heart to see this.” Other colleagues relate that their white male postdocs aren’t getting interviews or have chosen to seek jobs outside academia.

Assuming you have a basic understanding of the obstacles to equity and some level of actual willingness to address them, how hard could it be to write a statement like that? It's a pretty low bar and it's honestly sad and ridiculous to hear people complaining about the idea that job applicants would be asked how they plan to make sure that their research and teaching is inclusive and doesn't leave some groups of people behind...

Seriously.

People suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even 17 year old high school students have to write essays about diversity. The essay prompts make you feel guilty for not being black or Hispanic.

If you want to understand why Trump won, DEI would be one of the top issues. My cousin who is a professor in a STEM field, who had been a hard core left wing liberal, got fed up with democrats. He voted for republicans, thought not for Trump.

No, they don’t. GMAFB.