DEI Falling from the Sky

It is time to treat DEI for what it is: an affront to the common good and a threat to public safety.

Paris Apodaca is a first-generation student at The University of Washington majoring in political science.

The plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday — in which the plane flipped, had its wings pulled off, and skidded down the runway — is a direct result of the airport and Delta Air Lines’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Thankfully, no passengers were killed, but there were numerous injuries. The crash put on full display the results of liberal governance. Identity politics produces catastrophic consequences. “Representation” and “fairness” act as a liberal codeword prioritizing the under-qualified.

These values do not cultivate virtue or promote safety. Aviation safety and operational efficiency should standardize their hiring process limiting positions to merit-based individuals, never prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

St. Thomas Aquinas argued, “Two things are required for a good action; first, that the affection be inclined to good, which is affected in us by the habit of moral virtue. Secondly, that reason should discover the proper methods to make perfect the good of virtue.”

DEI practices hinder our “inclination to be good” and their moral nihilism decreases the drive toward virtue. Thus, naturally, DEI hires are bad, as their free-will to pursue the good is diminished by a nihilistic coating of reality.

The Biden administration expanded DEI commitments placing unqualified hires in high-ranking positions. Companies similarly promoted DEI ideology to sell their products more efficiently.

Airlines such as Delta, who stand firm on their DEI commitments, are endangering the public. Institutional excellence eroded away by liberal favoritism — where identity and alleged systematic oppression are more important than people’s safety. This hedonistic “good” that has no telos, twisting superficial qualities into empty virtue.

Pearson Airport not only only supported DEI policies, but they also won awards for their proficiency. Last year, Toronto received three awards for their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices: the Community Impact Award from the Urban Pilots and Professionals Network, Airport Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award from International Airport Review and Best Individual Contribution to DEI in the Workplace from Charity Village to Morlara Awosedo.

On their website is a diversity statement from Morlara Awosedo, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Our organization has set ambitious and achievable DEI goals, and together, we are taking the steps to turn our DEI strategy into action. We are creating an airport where you belong, and we will continue to put the joy back into travel by making YYZ the chosen place to fly and work.

DEI leads to a decline in meritocratic hiring, institutional efficiency, and workforce cohesion. The aviation sector has no margin for error and should require competency rather than leftist’s fetish with identify.

These practices demonstrate the sin of pride. Favoritism of the “oppressed” identity makes them the “morally” desirable candidate. There is no need to use reason to strive for the highest good because as the “favorites” they’ll receive good regardless.

President Trump’s pushback on DEI practices in the federal government demonstrate an act of healing for our nation. He is right to shut down the processes that place DEI hires in high stakes positions. Trump is right to assert it is just “common sense” that recent aviation disasters are caused by DEI.

The Toronto airport uses hiring tools like Textio and HireEZ help employers seek out DEI candidates over those who are more qualified. On the American side, Congress should pass legislation making DEI-based hiring illegal as they demonstrate discriminatory practices.

The prioritization of liberal policy should not be above safety. People’s lives are at stake. Our society will remain falling into sin, long as the inclination to be good is oppressed by DEI practices.

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