Diversity, Equity and Inclusion except for Disabled Conservative Women of Color

One student shared how the DEI Office bashed and discriminate against POC Conservatives

In the ongoing debate surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the University of Virginia often happens all over cyberspace. On Reddit, students have fierce debates about DEI’s future. One UVA Reddit user offered a scathing critique of the university's DEI office in response to the BOV voting to end DEI at the university. Her analysis highlights how DEI fails to live up to its appellation.

The student, a disabled woman of color who identifies as conservative, argues that the DEI office at UVA discriminates against certain individuals, especially those with divergent political views. She states bluntly, "The idea that the DEI office helps folks who have divergent views in academia is a joke." She feels alienated by the office’s approach, recounting how both herself and other students of color with conservative beliefs were made to feel unwelcome at events hosted by the DEI office and the Multicultural Student Center. According to her, these spaces were hostile to conservative viewpoints, with the Dean and her team reportedly "openly bash[ing] conservatives."

The student’s frustration is compounded by the lack of response to racial slurs used against conservatives of color. She describes how terms like "coconut," "banana," and "Uncle Tom" were used to insult and undermine conservative students of color, yet the DEI office failed to take action. "I was called a race traitor because of my views that illegal immigration is bad," she recounts, reflecting the personal toll such slurs had on her.

"As far as I’m concerned Vicki Gist and her team can go to hell and take their DEI office with them." This fiery statement underscores her profound dissatisfaction with the DEI office’s failure to create a truly inclusive environment for all students, regardless of political stance.

Recently, the legendary Professor Ken Elzinga spoke to the BOV and the state of the university. He shared, “I tend to think that DEI, the way it's generally implemented, as I understand it, is immoral. Elzinga shared how many Black libertarian and conservative thinkers have shaped his views on DEI and wishes DEI staff were “conversant” with these intellectuals. Clearly, this student’s experiences provide evidence that this is very much needed.