(Def)end DEI

Recently, the US Department of Education created a webpage to EndDEI. The site says "this submission form is an outlet for students, parents, teachers, and the broader community to report illegal discriminatory practices at institutions of learning" then asks for an email, a school or school district, a school or school district zip code, a description of the discriminatory behavior, and the option to upload documentation. I've already reported the illegal discriminatory practices demanded by one of our country's recent executive orders. While it is a shame that discrimination exists, it would also be a shame to not report such discrimination occurring in our country. Do so wisely.

This week, I wanted to share a story that highlights the true meaning behind this website.

A Letter of Rec

Many jobs require them with a job application: the dreaded letter of recommendation. The only thing worse than having to act like you're perfect is asking someone you value to join you in the charade in order to get work. One of my least favorite times requesting one was during my early years of grad school, when only one professor had seen my teaching, academic writing, and grading practices. This professor, I felt, did not like me let alone listen to me. But none of the professors I got along with had seen me in action in many arenas, so I asked this professor for a letter of rec needed to get me a summer job.

A few weeks later, he did indeed write me a letter of rec... but I didn't want to use it. In the very last paragraph, he called me "piquant." What a strange word to use when describing an English teacher. If you've never heard of the word, Merriam-Webster definitions include "provocative," "stimulating," "mischievous charm," with the top definition as "having a pleasantly pungent, sharp, or spicy taste." These words have dual meanings; some people may prefer provocative, stimulating, charming personalities while others might be hesitant to be involved with someone described as such. You might be more familiar with the Spanish version of the word: picante, meaning spicy or hot. You've probably heard of picante salsas. Well, I'm apparently a picante person.

Pace brand picante salsa

To make matters worse, as I read the letter, he asked me, "Is piquant too much of a Latina stereotype to use?" Having no back-up recommenders, I answered "no," while my heart sank. If he had to ask, wasn't it obvious the answer was yes? Who calls a part-Cuban woman "spicy" in a letter of rec for a teaching job? Maybe that word would be helpful if I was applying to a job at Hooters (they say everybody goes for the hot wings, right?), but not in this context!

Reporting Discrimination

While reporting this would be a moot point, as this professor already retired and moved away, I wonder if this would count as discrimination if I filed it on the new website. My guess: probably not. Why? Because the website name itself says what it seeks to end: not discrimination, but diversity, equity and inclusion. It does not seek to end the right thing, though the report form tries to suggest it is ending "illegal" discrimination.

That's very disheartening to me. If only the government created websites to end actually bad things. EndRape. EndRacism. EndPollution. EndSchoolShootings. EndBillionaireTaxEvasion. EndExecutiveOrdersThatThreatenAmericanSafety&Education. But no, our government chose EndDiversityEquityAndInclusion. What does that mean? The government chooses uniformity, prejudice, and exclusion. Those antonyms of diversity, equity, and inclusion tell me that the government does not want to protect me as someone who breaks the mold, values justice, and seeks to include those on the outside with me. The government does not want to protect me, an asexual, all pronouns welcome, female at birth, neurodivergent, disabled, chronically ill, part-Cuban, low-income, American person. Would their definition of discrimination (as related to ending DEI) protect you?