To the editor: It’s positive to criticize foolish or excessive applications having to do with variety, fairness and inclusion such because the College of Michigan’s guides on figuring out white supremacy or counterproductive company workshops (is anybody stunned that company workshops of any type are sometimes time-wasting slogs?). (“Trump is right to end federal diversity programs,” Opinion, Feb. 3)
However I’m wondering if with out the deliberate efforts of Hollywood to be extra inclusive, wonderful creators corresponding to Jordan Peele and Ava DuVernay would have as simply discovered the funding and avenues for his or her work.
President Trump, in taking a scorched-Earth strategy to DEI applications, is actually not prioritizing excellence. He’s simply changing concerns of race and gender with fealty to himself and his agenda. It appears DEI could also be unacceptable now, however nepotism and loyalty checks are simply positive.
Susan Rishik, Santa Monica
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To the editor: Lewis virtually approaches an understanding of the aim of inclusionary applications earlier than shortly and sadly collapsing again right into a reactionary stoop.
He’s appropriate that when individuals try to voice views they haven’t lived, it will probably appear inauthentic, even when well-intentioned. Inclusion addresses that downside by lifting up genuine voices and providing alternative to those that have been systematically repressed.
The identical precept applies in Hollywood because it does in Washington: A variety of views sparks a richer nationwide dialog, and there’s work to do to create seats on the desk. Lewis would have us shirk from that really American mission to empower the missed for the sake of, what, the avoidance of discomfort for him and his ilk?
The more durable hike results in higher views.
Michael Affeldt, Los Angeles
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To the editor: If two individuals with equal expertise apply for a job, and one is Black and the opposite white, one would possibly think about using DEI. However, if one’s expertise is clearly not equal to the opposite, one ought to rent the perfect particular person. Another customary is absurd.
I, a retired UPS driver, gave up my lunch and occasional breaks to complete my job on time for the primary six months after the corporate employed me. Any particular person — Black, feminine or no matter — has to ask himself what he’s keen to sacrifice to do the job. In spite of everything, an organization hires an individual who can profit the corporate, not the reverse.
Would a baseball, soccer or basketball group rent an athlete primarily based on colour or on his means to assist it win?
Robert S. Rodgers, Culver Metropolis
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To the editor: As an Indigenous man, I’ve two strategies to make Lewis’ article extra correct.
Within the print version headline, “It’s time to finish our ineffective DEI applications,” change “ineffective” to “undesirable.” Then within the article, change each reference to “American” to “white particular person.”
When my household moved to Los Angeles in 1943, the phrase “American,” when utilized to ethnicity, meant white. Sadly, that definition stays in at this time’s MAGA world.
Harold Printup, Mar Vista
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To the editor: Lewis factors out that DEI efforts have negatively affected the humanities, academia, firms and politics, a lot to our detriment.
We now have seen an absence of DEI in so many areas, and Trump haters want to concentrate to how the president’s new coverage might help, not hinder progress. Placing the best individuals into jobs can solely assist our nation and the financial system.
I personally have seen DEI end in incompetent individuals being put into positions with far-reaching, unfavourable penalties.
Hayden Lening, Claremont
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To the editor: Lewis’ article is as offensive as it’s deceptive. The trope of hauling out one liberal good friend who agrees with him proves nothing apart from he has one good friend who agrees with him.
Relating to Hollywood, based on a 2023 article in The Times, white individuals represented 78% of the lead actors within the prime motion pictures launched in theaters in 2022.
If voters care about DEI initiatives, it’s as a result of Trump and other people like Lewis hold telling them they need to care. The common American hasn’t been harm by DEI, nevertheless it’s a lot simpler in charge these applications than it’s to repair precise issues.
Ray Lancon, San Marino
