Merit, Identity, and the Rhetoric of Oppression

It is always an honor to testify before Congress. I had that honor in late June when I spoke to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Health and Financial Services Subcommittee in a hearing titled "Sacrificing Excellence for Ideology: The Real Cost of DEI." My brief testimonial argued that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (DEI) have "undermined meritocracy and discouraged open dialogue." Ironically, the subsequent defense of DEI from politicians did just that; sincere and present open dialogue on the issue was undermined by grandstanding and a general emphasis on past...