Let’s talk DEI

Governor Stitt recently spoke against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in a press conference and accompanying Executive Order this week. So, what is DEI? Wikipedia defines it as, “organizational frameworks which seek to promote ‘the fair treatment and full participation of all people,’ particularly groups ‘who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination’ on the basis of identity or disability.” How it looks in action: recognizing that people face different challenges and not taking for granted that one person’s ways of doing and thinking is best. This is a learned skill.

When I taught music at Westwood, we sang a song every year called “I Want to Walk a Mile in Your Shoes.” Through the lyrics, students learned that we must work at getting along. It doesn’t just happen. And when we put in the work at understanding others, we are rewarded with happiness. That’s elementary, but still a concept that many adults today don’t understand. A happy life doesn’t just mean a good job. It means a solid circle of friends and coworkers that love and support one another. It’s this quality of life that attracts and retains citizens in our communities.

Private companies, government agencies, schools and universities all have similar DEI guidelines. It makes sense to prepare the next generation for this working world by instructing our student population in these policies. But it goes further. It prepares the next generation for how to be a good citizen. It exposes students to others from different backgrounds, faiths, genders, abilities, and gives them the practice and vocabulary for building strong friendships. Our universities are microcosms, which operate in similar ways as our greater population. If we want healthy, positive experiences on campus, resulting in a robust graduation and employment rate for the betterment of our state, then we need to embrace DEI.

Each student at our universities has their own challenges. A returning student after raising kids or a veteran getting a degree after their term of service: covered under DEI. First generation student or someone with hearing impairment or other disability: covered under DEI. LGBTQ+, women, people of color: covered under DEI. DEI policies challenge professors to look at their method of instruction and question if it is best suited for their students. It challenges campuswide organizations to see if they are providing proper supports and community. It challenges the students to look past their previous experiences in their hometown or country and learn from each other. Schools are a place of learning and growth. They are best situated to explore how new ways of thinking can influence future growth and prosperity. We need to let them.

But let’s go back to the people who utilize DEI policies. These are the folks in our larger community that regularly get disregarded or must face additional barriers to attaining status in our society. They are routinely discriminated against through our laws and policies. They are not a threat– they enhance our communities. Given a chance, they can help better our quality of life as a state, but they need access to higher ed institutions, too.

The Governor’s announcement to eliminate DEI programs in state agencies and universities doesn’t improve Oklahoma. In fact, it solidifies our spot in the bottom ten of state rankings and it causes out-of-state companies to look elsewhere. It will also hamper student enrollment and push current citizens to relocate. Let’s stop the rhetoric and get to work at helping Oklahomans help themselves. We’ll all be better for it.

Rep. Trish Ranson, a Democrat, serves District 34 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Stillwater.