“DEI” is commonly and carelessly used as if its three components were equivalent. They are not the same. This three-part series of essays explains and distinguishes among the three terms: diversity, equity, and inclusion. These terms would never have been used if there were not some sense in which each has a positive meaning.
This first installment explores the primary meanings which are themselves good. The second essay will explore how each has been used in a negative or even foolish way. The final essay demonstrates how these concepts can be twisted to be evil — hence the title.
‘The GOOD of DEI’ is the First Installment of this series
Diversity:
- Diversity can be beneficial for innovation, creativity, and overall performance. It fosters a range of perspectives, enhances problem-solving capabilities, and more effective communication and collaboration.
Diversity in the Bible (ESV)
Revelation 7
9 Behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in hand.
Galatians 3
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, . . . neither slave nor free, . . . nor male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Acts 17
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, 26 made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the earth . . . 28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘We are indeed his offspring.’”
Isaiah 56
6 “The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
. . . and hold fast my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
. . . my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares,
“I will gather yet others to him
besides those already gathered.”
Equity:
The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Equality means providing the same to each one in the same position. Equity as often used means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments.
“Martin Luther King, Jr. described the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence as containing ‘magnificent words…a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.’ Prior to 1964, however, slavery and segregation were enforced by state governments and, in many cases, by the federal government. Many who descend from victims of this system now face economic and personal hurdles that are the direct result of this legacy. We commit to expanding opportunity for those who face challenges due to past government restrictions on individual and economic freedom. We adamantly oppose racial discrimination in all its forms, either against or for any person or group of people.”
Section 8 from Freedom Conservatism Statement of Principles (2025)
Western principles of equity have a long history.
The Institutes of Justinian, 535 A.D.
Book I. Of Persons
I. Justice and Law.
JUSTICE is the constant and perpetual wish to render every one his due.
3. The maxims of law are these: to live honestly, to hurt no one, to give every one his due.
LAS SIETE PARTIDAS, 1263 A.D.
LAW III.
What Justice Means, and How Many Precepts She Has.
The commands of justice and law are three in number; first, that every man should live honestly, so far as he himself is concerned; second, that he should not do wrong or injury to another; third, that he should give to each one that to which he is entitled. He who complies with these precepts performs his duty to God, to himself and to the men with whom he lives, and renders and maintains justice.
Equity in the Bible (ESV)
I Chronicles 18
14 David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and equity to all his people.
Psalm 98
9 [Messiah] comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Isaiah 11
4 with righteousness [Messiah] shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
Inclusion:
“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” — MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
- practice of including all groups: equity, nondiscrimination, respectfulness, sensitivity
Inclusion in the Bible (ESV)
James 2
1 Show no partiality . . . 2 If a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?
Luke 14
12 “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.
Leviticus 19
33 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself. You were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
So, as you can see, diversity, equity, and inclusion have a long history in Western society and American culture and can be positive concepts. But, as we’ll see in the next two segments of this series, they are also frequently misused and abused in our modern context.
DEAR READERS
Send your nomination of words that confuse policy to paulstam@stamlawfirm.com. Parts I, II, III, IV, V, and VI explore corruption, liberal/conservative/ progressive, legalize/decriminalize, nonprofit, bipartisan, democracy/republic, forgive, mandate, fascism, Marxist, traitor, treason, gaming, gambling, amnesty, politically motivated, fraction of, decimate, honor and privilege. For more information, see Articles for 2025, www.paulstam.info.
