Jonathan Tobin’s claim that “Biden’s ‘Equity’ Policy Is Racializing America” (The Jewish Link, February 23, 2023) and that “the equity approach regards equality and a color-blind society … as neither attainable nor even desirable” is spurious because our nation is already racialized. The Executive Order on Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) is a good-faith attempt to make the federal government a model employer in addressing these shortcomings in our society.
Tobin would rather cast aspersions on Biden for kowtowing to the radical left with “woke commissars … put in place to act as inquisitors ensuring adherence to the DEI catechism” He states, “Far from promoting equality, Biden’s equity policies are inherently racist and grant a permission slip for antisemitism.”
It is instructive that when abbreviating the name of the executive order, Tobin chose to leave out the “A” part of the DEIA, which stands for “Accessibility,” intended to make sure individuals with disabilities are given the opportunities and respect they deserve. Or the fact that the executive order reduces the federal government’s reliance on unpaid internships, which benefit the privileged few.
I think for Tobin to say anything good about this executive order would undermine the main thrust of his message, which is to make Biden appear to be a lackey of the radical left and more of a divider of our nation than his predecessor.
Jonathan FranklinNew York