I asked NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya to be more transparent about what makes a grant a "DEI activity." Instead of answering, he decided to criticize my science without reading it.
The probably won't ever define "DEI" because then a court could slap it down as clearly illegal. Instead, Jay B will bob and weave. My best guess is that this administration doesn't want to fund any research examining discrimination of any kind. Remember the MAGA movement is built on white grievance. Denying systemic racism or discrimination is a core part of the "anti-woke" platform, which is a major, unifying force for the MAGA base. This strategy is designed to appeal to, rather than suppress, racial grievances and resentment. Jay B has to go along. He has no choice but to toe the line. Meanwhile, promising scholars like you will be the victims of this nonsense. Tragic indeed.
I agree it would be problematic for them to have a firm definition. That was part of the reason I asked the question (it’s also why I think that vagueness needs to disturb all researchers). Vagueness allows leadership to live in the world where when people hear DEI they think of admission spots for Ivy League schools instead of thinking of things like “how do we treat people of different social class, race, gender, etc.” in spaces where they are supposed to receive care and heal. Appreciate your insights as always.
The probably won't ever define "DEI" because then a court could slap it down as clearly illegal. Instead, Jay B will bob and weave. My best guess is that this administration doesn't want to fund any research examining discrimination of any kind. Remember the MAGA movement is built on white grievance. Denying systemic racism or discrimination is a core part of the "anti-woke" platform, which is a major, unifying force for the MAGA base. This strategy is designed to appeal to, rather than suppress, racial grievances and resentment. Jay B has to go along. He has no choice but to toe the line. Meanwhile, promising scholars like you will be the victims of this nonsense. Tragic indeed.
I agree it would be problematic for them to have a firm definition. That was part of the reason I asked the question (it’s also why I think that vagueness needs to disturb all researchers). Vagueness allows leadership to live in the world where when people hear DEI they think of admission spots for Ivy League schools instead of thinking of things like “how do we treat people of different social class, race, gender, etc.” in spaces where they are supposed to receive care and heal. Appreciate your insights as always.