As an academic, I think all DEI courses get painted with a broad political brush which I don't believe is entirely fair. I'm a physicist who teaches physics, engineering and astronomy courses at a school in Oregon I won't name. At our school (a community college) we are require for all state awarded transfer degrees to include at least one DEI course. Many of these here focus on cultural awareness of our indigenous communities in rural Oregon and the rest of the PNW, and do not focus on many of the hot-button political issues like CRT and others that many are quick to complain about.
Does that happen in isolated (some less isolated than others) cases in academia? Yes, but let me pose the question closer to the intent of the requirement, As a scientist, is it likely that I am going to have to team and collaborate with colleagues of different cultural backgrounds and upbringings? Should I at least be aware of those perspectives in addition to my own? I believe in both cases the answer is a resounding yes.
I grew up a poor white kid with cerebral palsy in northeastern Oklahoma so the inclusivity part of anything is important to me because I grew up targeted and mocked for my physical limitations and there were institutional hurdles in place that were intentionally or unintentionally limiting where I was perceived to be able to go or what I could accomplish because of my CP. I believe inclusion and awareness is a great thing for everyone, and should not be the political blowtorch that it is to many (and at least a segment of this board).
Just wanted to provide a perspective from a unique viewpoint in the conversation
