Back to School and Back to DEIB
What is your privilege?
Today, I headed back to another exciting and engaging semester at ASU. I had a great group of students in class who were full of wonder as we talked about what we will study in PHI 101. Can we make any sense of life? That question launched us into a 50-minute discussion. I can’t wait for the rest of the semester!
But it is also back to politicizing our secular education. This sign was on the door of one of the faculty shared spaces. It tells us how to implement DEIB (remember, B is for belonging) philosophy in our workplace. But DEI (plus B) is a political and philosophical movement that is highly contested. Why is it posted about in a faculty space as if it is the truth of the matter? Can we also post instructions on how to implement Christianity at ASU?
Three things stood out to me about this flyer. First, it talks about diversity and underrepresented groups. But when it gives an example (lower left column), it gives “sexual orientation.” I have another post about how ASU had training videos making the claim that there are infinite genders. Is it true that sexual orientation is underrepresented in the ASU workplace? What happens if it becomes overrepresented?
Second, in the lower right-hand column, it asks the reader to name one privileged identity. We are asked to believe the oppressor/privilege system. The kind of privilege they are talking about is economic privilege. Because of this or that identity, a privileged person had an easier financial time and can’t take credit for their achievements. But why should we believe this? Material privilege does not translate into the most important things in life. Money cannot buy our highest good, and often those with money do not seek the highest good.
Third, this flyer has the official ASU stamp on the bottom right. That means that ASU approves these DEIB beliefs. Is it required for all of us who work and study at ASU to accept these beliefs? That is implied by the stamp of approval.
Legislators, should ASU be putting its stamp of approval on this flyer? Should it have the privileged position of being posted as the truth of the matter in faculty space?
Parents and students, take note that this is what is approved to be taught about DEIB at ASU.
Pastors, you should know the ASU-approved teaching about sexual orientation and privilege. We know that material privilege cannot ultimately benefit anyone. The truest privilege is to know and accept the Gospel.
out diversity and