The term “DEI” has become politicized and even evil in the minds of many, including President Donald Trump and many of his MAGA apostles, including some here in Nebraska.

DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. MAGA pitches DEI as a liberal, woke attack on America’s economy, government, and even our culture. I never thought that the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, also historic American values, could become so demonized.

I grew up in the 1950s, 1960s and graduated from high school in 1974. Growing up in western Nebraska, conservative even then, conservative values embraced American fair play and opportunities for anyone willing to apply themselves, work hard and smart and play by the rules.

Even in the 1970s, with distrust in America rising because of the Vietnam War and civil rights movement, the folks I grew up around believed in these values.

Values And Reality

Unfortunately, we were isolated, not really understanding why we were in Vietnam or the realities of the Jim Crow South driving the civil rights movement. I love my country, and I am proud of the U.S.

But I also understand the dark and unjust chapters in our history, including slavery, Jim Crow discrimination, Native American genocides, the Chinese Exclusion Acts, and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Unfortunately, injustices continue today, running from “driving while Black” to housing discrimination rooted in skin color and gender identity. Immigrants today are particularly an anti-DEI target.

Over my 50 years of working in the field of community economic development throughout the country, I have come to believe in the immigrant dividend. My research into my own family confirms we all are, except Native Americans, immigrants.

Most Are Immigrants

My father’s family moved from Prussia to the U.S. in the 1850s primarily for economic opportunity. They, like millions of other immigrants, became productive and patriotic U.S. citizens. They were northern European and white, but as poor and Catholic immigrants, they faced their share of hate and discrimination. Being white, they could meld into America in ways that people of color continue to struggle with.

Racism, empowered by Trump and MAGA, is alive and well. They argue that racism and other forms of injustice are gone, and efforts like DEI are no longer needed and create reverse discrimination.

However, the research does not lie, and the playing field in America between white people and people of color, long-term residents and immigrants, and rich and poor continues to be uneven and unfair.

JEDI Approach

DEI is now part of our common language in the U.S., but a more appropriate and related concept is JEDI. Not the JEDI of Star Wars fame, but justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. If MAGA hates DEI, wait till they learn about JEDI and what it implies. Including that justice in the DEI concept is foundational. DEI exists because of historic and current injustices in America’s economy, society, judicial system and culture.

But Trump and some folks like “scapegoat sideshows,” including vilifying DEI, immigrants, refugees, government employees and public-school teachers, to name a few. Trump promises that by getting rid of DEI forever in America, the costs of living and doing business will decrease. Really? Not sure how DEI is a cause of inflation, let alone a root cause.

Somehow by closing DEI offices, firing DEI staff, and shutting down DEI programs America will become great again. Trump even links the tragic Jan. 30 Washington, D.C., air crash to DEI.

Embracing reasonable strategies to help anyone willing to make the effort should be given a hand-up. DEI is and can be that needed hand-up. It saddens me that too many Nebraska leaders, from Gov. Jim Pillen to our entire congressional delegation and many state senators, are also on the anti-DEI bandwagon.

Let’s be smart Nebraska and America. DEI is no threat to America’s future, but the corruption of our democracy is.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/28/maybe-dei-isnt-the-bogeyman-nebr...

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