National Culture and Local Opinion: What They Have In Common

DEI: National Culture Vs. Local Opinion and What They Have in Common


Opinion: 7-minute read

 

What does a corporate national trend have to do with Ottawa County and its elections? We are taking a hard look at the national cancelling of DEI programs throughout corporate America and comparing it to the impending pettiness of local politics. Last year, when Bud Light wrecked its long-trusted brand with a single marketing decision, a lot of national companies began asking themselves these same hard questions. 

It Was Shocking Enough When Bud Light Sank to America's Second Favorite Beer; Now dropped to Third... 

The same week that Outkick published the above article, this report was also published by the New York Post⬇️

 

"Last year, Google and Meta reduced the scope of their DEI programs and cut staff as part of restructuring and layoffs at both companies, according to CNBC. *On Tuesday, tractor giant John Deere announced it will scuttle nearly all its DEI polices in favor of a quality-based workplace….Zoom, Snap, Tesla, DoorDash, Lyft, Home Depot and Wayfair have also downsized their DEI teams."

 

AND... if that isn't enough, Now see This⬇️

Given these three pieces published between July and September of this year and the conclusion their combined meaning puts forward, we have some thoughts regarding our local situation with the Board of Commissioners, which will be seated in 2025.

 

Opinion

     The Western Journal is using the word, "Flee." "Flee" means to run away as fast as one can. It does not mean a casual, subtle exit that no one observes. In fact, Merriam Webster's Dictionary says "flee" means, "to runaway from danger or evil," and "to hurry toward a place of security."

     Given the fact that Corporate America is FLEEING from DEI and wokeism makes the promises by certain local, current candidates even more puzzling. The Ottawa voters have been promised that if the majority on the BOC flips to a non-conservative majority, a new Board will vote to reinstall DEI.  Why have some candidates promised to reinstall a policy the entire country is fleeing from? Our answer?

     Simply because they can.

     Republican voters need to ask themselves a hard question: do you still want YOUR tax dollars to pay for a DEI Department at the County level?

     Does DEI make economical sense? No. Do laws already exist to protect County workers from discrimination? Yes. Clearly... as we've seen through the Adeline Hambley and former County employee Ryan Kimball settlements, the laws work. (These settlements happened anyway, in spite of the DEI office being closed because these cases relied on standing employment laws.) *Please ask yourself why it is that Ottawa County candidates would want to reinstall *DEI when the entire Country now knows it is a losing fiscal proposition and is now cancelling their own DEI Departments. It's a Fair Question.

*Voters should consider their options on the issue of reinstalling DEI.

*When corporate America is "fleeing DEI," is doesn't make sense that Ottawa County is "embracing" it.