DEI has caused a severe shortage of ATC. "Air Traffic Controllers." Qualified candidates are being overlooked because they a white.

 A common argument against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is that it can lead to "reverse discrimination," where efforts to promote diversity may result in unfairly disadvantaging individuals from majority groups, creating a perception that qualified candidates are being overlooked solely based on demographics, rather than merit, potentially causing resentment and fostering a sense of unfairness within an organization.  

 DEI has put peoples lives in danger.  

Some opponents of DEI initiatives express fears about the possibility of “reverse discrimination.” They claim that efforts to address historical inequities will result in unfair treatment or disadvantages for specific individuals, particularly those who belong to majority groups. These critics view society as a zero-sum game—lifting someone up must mean bringing someone else down. However, this is simply not the case. The purpose of DEI is to level the playing field—not by taking things away—but by rectifying historical imbalances while ensuring fair treatment for all. 

The “curb cut effect” can help reframe this argument against DEI. A curb cut is a sloped section of pavement at a street corner or along a sidewalk designed to allow for a smooth transition between a sidewalk and the road. In the 1940s, these sidewalk modifications were designed so that war veterans and soldiers with disabilities could better access walking paths. While initially an effort to support a specific community, people with strollers, bikes, and many more found sidewalk curb cuts beneficial to their mobility and access, creating unexpected but welcome positive externalities. In short, ​curb cuts created more inclusive environments that benefited everyone and became standard practice for U.S. civil engineering. DEI initiatives strive to do the same. 

Political ideology and correctness

In the political battleground, DEI initiatives are entangled in ideological debates. Conservative states like Kentucky and Alabama have recently joined Florida and Texas, among others, in banning DEI initiatives in public schools, colleges, and government offices. Such actions undermine the quality of the education received at these institutions and the student experience. Critics argue that diversity initiatives are a radical invention of left-leaning politics and pundits, creating resistance from those with more conservative views. Meanwhile, proponents emphasize that embracing the wholeness of humanity should not be limited by partisanship. Instead, visible and vocal leadership support for DEI as a core value and strategic priority is paramount at every level within an organization. Leaders should emphasize the benefits of diverse perspectives and clearly express that these benefits extend beyond political lines.