Continuing from our last blog, where we ended with the quote from a wise leader saying,
“Diversity is Innovation. If someone doesn’t look like you, they don’t think like you, they can help you. Think Different”
Now, if you live in the State of Texas, our political leaders, some of whom hold the most power in our state government, disagree with this ideology, especially in our government institutions and universities meant to serve the public good. More explicitly, they believe and want:
- “strong enforcement with mandates to return Texas colleges and universities to their core mission: educate and innovate” (removing all DEI Offices in public institutions) – The Guardian, and
- “(in State government) The innocuous sounding notion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has been manipulated to push policies that expressly favor some demographic groups to the detriment of others,” – The Texas Tribune
Other than the growing population in Latino and Asian communities, in which last year, the Hispanic population outnumbers non-Hispanic white Texans. Anglo Texans still are #1 in the numbers that matter in terms of quality of life: jobs, food security, home ownership, and wealth. Yet, we are being fed a story that DEI has tipped the scale so drastically that they are removing years of progress for under-resourced communities. But we know the years of discrimination, slavery, and inequities placed on black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) can not be tipped by one or two decades of DEI focus. The Governor and his staff cite that the DEI programs were ineffective in creating diversity, yet we cannot expect hundreds of years of discrimination to be fixed in a matter of 10 to 20 years.
And that’s why our work at TNP has never been more critical.
There is a conscious effort to dismantle the strides we have made in equity, and both sides must fight with the same zeal. Many who believe and care about equity must get off the sidelines because your passive support will not stand up against the direct onslaught by those who do not value diversity and equity. Right now, we might not be able to have this fight in the political arena, but that’s okay with us because, let’s be honest, the real work must start where we can make the biggest difference in our communities.
So, what can you do to step up? Join us in our efforts through the various programming we offer for leaders of color and nonprofits.
- Join us in the community at the Kicking It with TNP event!
- Be a mentee! Apply for the Board Mentors of Color program.
- Join a board through our Board Matching Program.
- Join The New CREW, where your donations create a significant impact.
- If you serve on a board or are part of a nonprofit, take the next step in your equity journey by joining the First Look Program. Email info@tnpaustin.org for more information!