by Jack Daniel
During her November 27, 2024 Sirius XM Talk Show, the host Lurie Daniel Favors introduced the anacronym WEI. WEI is used herein to refer to White, Entitled, and Inept with an emphasis on Inept as defined by Merriam-Webster, i.e., “[1] generally incompetent, bungling; [2] lacking in fitness; [3] not suitable to the time, place or occasion, inappropriate often to an absurd degree; and lacking sense or reason.” Herein, WEI is used to examine things such as the Walmart retreat from DEI and Donald Trump’s Cabinet choices.
Within an October 13, 2020 New Pittsburgh Courier article, Stacy Johnson and I wrote, “In response to the violent abuse that sparked the recent urban insurrections, there has been considerable governmental, corporate and educational executive level ‘clanging’ regarding equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice, but it remains to be seen whether we are in the midst of a sea change in race relations or, once again, the language and actions of appeasement—whether, after a year from now, systemic racism will continue to run rampant…”
Four years after the above was written, WEI grows like topsy and the death knell rings loudly for DEI. For example, Walmart, the largest private employer, announced that it was cutting back on DEI initiatives, thereby joining forces with other companies such as Harley Davidson, Ford Motor Company, Toyota and Starbucks. Legislators have attacked DEI in states such as Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Increasingly, senior administrators don’t wish to learn how to be an “anti-racist” and be “inclusive.”
Meanwhile, Trump put WEI on full display with his Cabinet choices, e.g., [1] Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, notwithstanding the fact that he is being investigated for sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl as well as other crimes, and the fact that he never worked as a prosecutor. [2] Regarding Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, one commentator stated, “He doesn’t understand how science is done. He doesn’t understand how the federal government evaluates various studies. He can’t actually look at a research paper and look at the data and draw conclusions.” (See article by Ron Southwick November 20, 2024). Consider also the fact that Kennedy once was addicted to heroin. [3] As reported by CNN on November 21, 2024, “A recent lawsuit alleges Linda McMahon, who President-elect Donald Trump tapped to lead the Department of Education, knowingly enabled the sexual exploitation of children by a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) employee as early as the 1980s…”
To put DEI in bold relief, consider the juxtaposition of [1] Trump’s Cabinet picks’ gross lack of qualifications and [2] the extraordinarily qualified Kamala Harris. Kamala Harris served as California’s Attorney General, a member of the US Senate, Vice President, and “As President of the Senate, Vice President Harris set a new record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by a Vice President in history —surpassing a record that had stood for nearly 200 years… This includes casting the decisive vote to secure passage of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment ever in tackling the climate crisis…” (See https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-harris/)
To combat WEI, we can’t be gaslighted by things such as “Taco Tuesdays,” “Soul Food Sundays,” and “Land Acknowledgement Statements.” Now is the time to organize for the purpose of closing the opportunity gaps that contribute significantly to educational, health, wealth, and home ownership gaps.
(Jack L. Daniel is Vice Provost and Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh)