Farley, Boliek issue predictable and misguided directives on DEI

The Bottom Line from NC Newsline

Labor Commissioner Luke Farley and State Auditor Dave Boliek (File photos)

Among the many signs that illustrate just how far off track the modern political right has veered, the obsession with destroying diversity, equity and inclusion programs is among the most ridiculous.

North Carolinians were reminded of this truth again last week when two newly elected Republicans — state Labor Commissioner Luke Farley and Auditor Dave Boliek — announced they were ordering an end to DEI initiatives in their agencies.

As usual, both men sought to cloak their action by claiming that they would always hire the best person for every job, regardless of background. But, of course, what such professions of pure motives have always failed to account for is that overcoming centuries of white male heterosexual privilege isn’t that easy.

The bottom line: Well-run DEI programs aren’t about giving women and minorities special privileges; they’re about leveling the playing field and providing at least a chance for the agencies in which they’re housed to look a little bit more like the society they serve.

Farley and Boliek’s predictable but misguided actions are a step backward.

For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.