DEI — Talking Turkey

“DEI means hiring unqualified people because of their race.”

"Your relative is saying that DEI hiring prioritizes race over qualifications."

What's actually true

DEI is a broad label for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts—not a hiring rule that says to choose unqualified people. Programs can include widening recruitment, making workplaces accessible, and checking whether hiring standards are applied consistently. Some programs do consider race, and particular practices can be unfair or unlawful; federal employment law generally prohibits race discrimination, including against white applicants. Whether a specific program sacrifices qualifications depends on what it actually does, not its label.

Where they have a point

They’re right that applicants should be evaluated fairly and be able to do the job. It’s reasonable to scrutinize any program that gives demographic identity more weight than job-related skills.

Say this (15 seconds)

I agree people should be qualified. But DEI doesn’t automatically mean lowering standards—it can mean looking for qualified people in more places. If a program gives racial preferences, we can question that specific practice.

Then ask

Is there a particular hiring policy you’re thinking of that we could look at together?

Sources

Pass the gravy (exit line)

We can agree the job should go to someone who can do it. Speaking of qualifications, who’s carving the pie?

“DEI is why that plane crashed.”

"Your relative is saying diversity, equity, and inclusion policies caused a plane crash."

What's actually true

Without knowing which crash they mean, we can’t assess its cause. Aviation investigators examine evidence such as flight data, equipment, weather, and human decisions—not assume a cause from someone’s identity. Blaming DEI would require evidence that a specific policy contributed to the accident; the existence of a diversity program doesn’t establish that.

Where they have a point

They’re right that aviation jobs need rigorous, safety-focused qualifications and that any policy compromising those standards deserves scrutiny. That concern alone doesn’t show that standards were lowered or caused this crash.

Say this (15 seconds)

We both want qualified people flying planes. But saying DEI caused a crash takes actual evidence. Let’s check what investigators found before we settle on a cause.

Then ask

Did the report you saw cite investigators linking a specific hiring policy to the crash?

Sources

Pass the gravy (exit line)

We can check the report later. For now, could you pass the potatoes?