In 1567, the first Spanish language drama was performed near what would become Miami, Florida. This was 130 years before the first English language play was performed in what is now the United States. 

In 1979, Luis Valdez’ Zoot Suit became the first play written and directed by a Chicano theatre artist to appear in a Broadway theatre. From its beginnings in 1735 to the late 1970s, were there no other Hispanic works worthy to be presented on the boards of Broadway? Or, does this example demonstrate the reality that if you are not part of the majority group, often times, your values, beliefs, culture, art, and history are viewed as unimportant, inferior, and worthy of being ignored? 

The 412 years between those two theatrical events speaks to the power of hegemony. This is a concept that describes how a dominant group within a multicultural society can impose its values, beliefs, and culture on other less dominant groups. It can do so because the majority controls every aspect of society and has the power to create a system that benefits itself. 

Under hegemony, those in minority groups struggle to have their voices heard and their stories seen. When marginalized individuals seek opportunities in business, education, government, entertainment, and more, they are often viewed as unqualified simply because they are different from those in power. 

The American story is one that chronicles the triumphs and struggles of an imperfect nation. A major plotline of our story is the ongoing effort to create a more just society that reflects our most aspirational democratic values including a commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). 

In fact, DEI is enshrined in our Constitution. While the House of Representatives reflects a majority rules approach to governing, the Senate ensures equity of representation by guaranteeing every state two senators regardless of how large or small a state is. A similar case can be made about the Electoral College.  

Other examples of DEI throughout our history are the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, and national origin, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 that protects people with disabilities from discrimination, Head Start and school lunch programs, special needs education in our public schools, Medicare and Medicaid which work to ensure equitable access to healthcare, the 2015 Supreme Court ruling affirming marriage equality for all, and efforts to create employment opportunities for our military veterans. 

Today, we have a president who, for raw political purposes, is attempting to overturn years of progress towards creating a country in which access to opportunity is possible for all. In Donald Trump’s America, DEI efforts are scapegoated as the source of every societal problem – real or imagined. Since he has regained the Oval Office, he has inexcusably blamed the fires in California and a tragic aviation accident on DEI initiatives. 

In many ways, the attack on DEI initiatives is an attempt to undo the progress made towards a more equitable Unites States. Trump’s anti-DEI rhetoric and agenda is a dog whistle to those Americans who are fearful of what an increasingly pluralistic America will be like. 

In his politics of grievance, he is promoting the idea that DEI is really about discrimination against White people, especially males. In his version of America, any achievement by someone who is not a straight white male is viewed as illegitimate, unearned, and without merit. 

Here is another perspective: DEI initiatives are not about guaranteeing outcomes or quotas. They ensure that the doors of opportunity are open to all Americans. In fact, DEI practices are the only way to create a merit-based society. Why? We are a stronger, more democratic, and healthy society when every individual, regardless of their sex, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, has the opportunity to participate fully in our American society. 

If you believe in an America for all, not just for some, then stand up and voice your support for actions that will make us a more perfect union. For a pluralistic society to succeed, we must affirm that we each have a voice and a place in it. Don’t fall for the lies and misinformation promoted by those who want to divide us. A country founded on the principles of freedom and opportunity cannot survive in an environment of hate, fear, and discrimination. If we want to make America great, the best way to do so is to practice and celebrate what makes us great – our diversity. 

John H. Taylor is a faculty member at Adams State University. These views are his own and do not reflect those of the university.