Hello my friends.
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This is not a political substack, in the way that the word “politics” is typically understood, and this is not a political post, despite what the title might imply. Instead, this is a lesson on empathy.
Empathy is the ability to understand the feeling and emotions of another person.
Though this word is never used in Scripture, the idea of empathy can be found from the very beginning. Job’s friends sat with him in the ashes for seven days. Jesus had compassion for the crowds who were wandering around like sheep with no shepherd. The church at Philippi shared with Paul in all of his pain, persecution, and poverty.
The most dramatic showing of empathy is when Jesus took on the wrath of humans through the cross to show us that the Father, Son, and Spirit can relate with us in our suffering and despair.
The church is composed of people from every walk of life. Simon the zealot has to learn how to serve Jesus alongside Matthew the tax collector. Paul the Pharisee has to work among the gentiles.
This means that sharing short-sighted memes, divisive posts, or posting rude comments can be a sign of a lack of empathy (not for “outsiders”) but for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
So let’s talk about the phrase “DEI hire”.
First, what is DEI?
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The idea is that companies make a point to seek qualified people across every race and gender. Have you ever seen a lectureship on women’s roles in the church where every speaker was an old white guy? That’s the kind of thing it’s trying to prevent.
In other words, it is used as a safeguard against unintentional discrimination and prejudice. A manager might look at two candidates who are equally qualified for a job and unconsciously choose the one who looks like himself or happens to be male. DEI programs, at the very least, make him aware of this.
Cultural diversity in the workplace, especially in a large corporation, can be a good thing from a business perspective. A corporation might be able to reach a more diverse group of people if there are more cultures represented among its employees. It will be able to speak to the needs of varying communities across the world.
The idea behind DEI isn’t to get a few diverse hires regardless of skill or quality of work; instead, it’s an attempt to fight against discrimination in the workplace.
Please notice that this post is not talking about the merits of a DEI framework; I’m simply talking about the goal of it so I can make a more important point below. I’m not a business man and don’t care about debating this subject.
Today I saw a post which said something like, “If DEI is a good thing, then why would Kamala Harris be upset at being called a DEI hire?”
This post might seem like it’s making a good point, but it’s committing a logical fallacy called equivocation, which ends up displaying a lack of empathy.
Equivocation is when you use one word or phrase in two different ways to make your point.
Here’s an example: “Christians should usually learn to argue in favor of the existence of God, but since there is enough division in the world already, Christians should stay away from arguing.”
Arguing in favor of something is not the same as “having an argument” in the sense that people get mad start throwing stuff. This “argument” is no good because it using the word “argument” in two different ways, i.e. equivocation.
Let’s get back to the post I saw today: “If DEI is a good thing, then why would Kamala Harris be upset at being called a DEI hire?”
DEI, as defined above, is seen by many as a good thing, especially those who align with Harris politically. The expression “DEI hire” is a derogatory term used to describe someone who is not a male or white that is hired to fill a position they do not seem qualified to fill; the implication is they were only hired because of their gender or race in order to meet a quota or to seem diverse and inclusive.
Do you see, then, how this post might be offensive, regardless of its truthfulness? Even if one sees another person as being unfit for a particular role, there are better, more Christlike ways of pointing that out than resorting to using a phrase that is seen as offensive and possibly even racist.
I don’t think it’s right to hire someone who isn’t qualified for the job. I don’t care if it’s nepotism, racism or sexism (reverse DEI), or for the purpose of seeming more inclusive. People should be hired based upon their ability to fill that role.
I also think that companies and other organizations have the freedom to intentionally hire qualified people of different races or genders to promote unity among people from diverse backgrounds within a community, especially within communities that have been plagued by racism or sexism in the past. After all, the kingdom of heaven is composed of people of every nation, tribe, and tongue (Revelation 7:9).
I urge you to be compassionate towards your political opposites in this election season. Rise above the mudslinging. Let everything you say be seasoned with salt, and, if all else fails, follow your grandma’s advice: “if you can’t think of something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Daniel,
I think what’s difficult is that when stating just facts has become offensive. Truth/facts cannot be shared because it always offends someone, right? So what is one to do, say nothing because of the backlash or do you speak up regardless of the backlash. For me, I am at the point in my life, that I will speak up in a culture that is shouting at the top of their lungs and do my best to do it in love. Case in point, during Covid my parents and I were in complete disagreement of how one should act, behave and respond to this event. The pressure was intense and it was 2 years of robust dialogue however, we both spoke the truth and love prevailed. So I have experienced the growth in standing on principal (even against my parents who I love dearly and never want to disappoint), I gained wisdom and maturity and it also gave me courage to speak up next time. So I encourage during this moment in time (our history) to always speak truth in love, with gentleness and kindness just as I believe Jesus did however there is no guarantee that the response will hold to the same standard as you. That is the risk but just as you Daniel, in writing this article or any article you have written, you take a risk of offending and getting backlash but you do it anyway because you believe that speaking the truth in love is paramount in being a believer in Jesus. 2 Tim 4:2
So please keep writing, keep teaching, keep standing and keep loving in spite of what comes your way!!
Blessings to you!
Danelle