Thoughts on DEIB and Gender
Since the last time our city went to the polls, it has been made pretty clear that these are two important topics. And while I believe that our city council should prioritize citizen safety and services, community is also important to me. Since I have been vocal, especially about women and girls in sports; as a candidate, I’d like to address them and share my thoughts right from the start.
I believe we are unfortunately living in a time when both the extreme right and left are guiding the narrative. If you don’t fully agree with the left, you must be a right-wing extremist and if you don’t fully agree with the right, you must be part of the woke mob. That doesn’t leave much for the vast majority of us who are in the middle with concerns on both ends.
That said, there is a sentiment in the community that anyone who questions the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) philosophy must be against diversity. For me, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
My family and I participate in the Lamorinda Caravan for Justice on Sunday, May 31, 2020
Like many, I was all about a blanket notion of kindness, especially when it came to anyone who is considered “marginalized.” I had one of those “In this house” signs on our front lawn, put rainbows and a black square in my social media profile and participated in the Lamorinda Caravan for Justice after the death of George Floyd. But in further understanding the core beliefs of DEIB, oppressor versus oppressed, “justified” discrimination and equal outcome, this philosophy is now allowing us to completely redefine facts with feelings. The term “sex” is now being replaced by “gender identity,” which essentially says that men and women are nothing more than stereotypes. There is no biological difference. This change has already been made to Title IX* and is in proposed legislation that our own congressional representative supports (see pages 22 and 23). As a woman and a former high school athlete who participated in the 2017 Women’s March, I am truly left wondering which political party really supports women.
I get ready to participate in the inaugural Women’s March in Oakland on January 21, 2017.
Since we are currently seeing protests taking place across the street from Lafayette Elementary School, I think it’s important to add the following: I believe these theories based on gender and race are highly complicated, and therefore are appropriately discussed on college campuses and among adults. I also believe that every child should feel like they belong in school and in our community. Previously implemented curriculum Character Counts did a terrific job in building positive school culture. One of its pillars, The Golden Rule, is something that I also subscribe and teach our son. But I do take issue that women are being forced to compete against biological men and our schools are now telling children as young as five that one day you can be a girl and the next a boy. For the same reason I do not want religion taught in public schools, these ideas can cause confusion and a potential conflict with what is believed at home.
For me, that may be what’s most concerning. We are now in a time when there is legislation being proposed and policies in place that are taking away rights and opportunities from others, hides kids’ information from parents and practically coerces society into submission. Think like us or be called a racist, bigot, conspiracy theorist, transphobe - or worse, possibly lose your friends, your job or even the custody of your children.
These are complicated and important issues that cannot be easily summed up in a Facebook post, tweet or even here in a more lengthy blog post. That said, I am always willing to discuss this more in person. So please feel free to join me at planned events during the course of the summer and into the fall for conversations over coffee, a walk around the res or at a local playground. You can also email me. I welcome the dialogue.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE:
I recently heard this conversation with author Coleman Hughes. In just 18 minutes, he so eloquently shares his concerns about the DEIB philosophy that also reflect my own. I don’t believe I could say it any better. Listen Now.
UPDATES:
*As of August 17, 2024, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, voted to stop the implementation of proposed Title IX changes made by the Department of Education while cases brought by the states of Kentucky and Louisiana are being heard within the judicial process. You can read the entire decision here.