BY JAMES WERNICKE
Los Alamos

Last month, an executive order called DEI “immense public waste and shameful discrimination” and banned its consideration from Federal employment practices. I can certainly appreciate the injustices of compelling people against their own interests, government waste, and exploiting people for their identity. I also understand the moral argument for seeking equality of opportunity for individuals and skepticism that pursuing equality of outcomes for groups is necessary to overcome systemic discrimination. I also acknowledge that DEI can be counterproductive.

I still prefer diversity because it means my teams have access to the best pool of talent and ideas. I still prefer equity because it means my teammates have what they need to perform at their best, regardless of what others need. I still prefer inclusivity because when outcomes are shared, motivation is shared. Maybe this doesn’t fit your standard of DEI, but it will continue to be part of my employment practices, and I encourage you to scrutinize it.