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DOUGLAS MACKINNON: This land is your land. This land is my land. But it’s not a DEI land
The writer argues that DEI policies and identity-based hiring should not influence work involving public safety, such as aviation, transport and utilities. He says major infrastructure was built through merit and experience, and warns that prioritising identity over competence could put lives at risk.
He predicts DEI will gain influence again if Democrats win control of Congress in the 3 November elections. As an example of what he sees as harmful DEI-related discrimination, he cites a report by the US Comptroller of the Currency alleging that major banks denied services to lawful customers and businesses, including some targeted for their political or religious views. The supplied article ends mid-quotation.
In short
- The writer argues safety-critical jobs should be awarded on merit.
- He predicts DEI policies could return if Democrats win Congress.
- He cites alleged bank discrimination based on politics or faith.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
In safety-critical fields, employers should select people for demonstrated competence and experience, since mistakes can put lives at risk. Critics of identity-based hiring argue that policies aimed at representation may undermine confidence in fair selection if they appear to outweigh job-related qualifications; they also point to reports of customers being denied financial services on political or religious grounds as a warning about institutional bias.
The case against
Supporters of diversity, equity and inclusion argue that widening recruitment can help identify qualified people overlooked by networks or practices that have historically favoured some groups, without lowering safety standards. They would distinguish efforts to broaden access from choosing someone who lacks competence, and argue that fair treatment in hiring and banking requires scrutiny of both exclusion and the criteria used to justify it.