Why, in the wake of California wildfires, DEI has turned into a scapegoat

Making Tragedy Political

Some conservatives took advantage of the threat posed by wildfires in Southern California, which destroyed thousands of houses, burned at least 20,000 acres, and forced 160,000 people to evacuate. Robby Starbuck, a far-right activist, called DEI "deadly" and said it made the devastation from the fire worse. Co-signing this myth was the affluent South African businessman Elon Musk, who said that "DEI means people DIE." Despite the fact that Los Angeles is currently experiencing some of the most devastating fires in its history, these divisive remarks seek to present DEI as a public threat rather than an attempt to level the playing field.

Misrepresenting Programs for Diversity

In a CNN interview, political commentator Scott Jennings fueled the flames by claiming that diversity initiatives were put in place to keep "too many White men" from joining the fire department. This assertion is blatantly untrue. White men make up the great majority of Los Angeles firemen, and no one is forcing them to leave or barring potential applicants on the basis of their color. Expanding chances for Black people and other racial minorities who are frequently disregarded is the aim of diversity programs.

The purpose of diversity programs, according to Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, is to "recognize that other people can be qualified." Given the country's long history of using slave labor, she emphasized the irony of White people having doubts about Black Americans' talents. Crockett said, "The White House was built by my ancestors." "If we are good enough to build the country… we are good enough to serve in other ways." Critics, she said, should "stop acting like White men are the only ones capable."

Arguments from Strawman and False Information

The far-right influencer Shawn Farash continued the online attacks in bad faith, saying, "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion isn’t the best fire prevention or firefighting method after all." The goal of DEI programs, which is to provide chances to underrepresented groups rather than to elevate unqualified applicants, is misrepresented by this strawman argument. Black firemen in Los Angeles, who currently make up only 3% of the force, are required to complete the same training and adhere to the same standards as their white counterparts.

Other targets include the establishment of a diversity, equality, and inclusion bureau in 2022 and the appointment of Kristen Crowley, the first LGBTQ chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Some have mistakenly believed that Crowley has the leadership skills necessary to lead, underscoring the part gendered bias plays in opposition to DEI. More conspiracy theories have been sparked by the current mayor, Karen Bass, who is Black. Some claim that DEI programs degrade professionals and are to blame for the extensive damage the fires have caused.

Abusing Prisoner Work

Because of a 13th Amendment loophole that allows involuntary servitude for people convicted of crimes, 30% of the firefighters fighting the fires are prisoners, which further complicates matters. California has had to rely on the services of inmates, many of whom make less than $1 per hour, due to a lack of available firefighters. Due to their disproportionate representation in the state's prison population, Black people are disproportionately affected by this arrangement. Some people are scapegoating Black firemen, ignoring their contributions, and blaming them for the extensive damage, despite the efforts of both free and jailed Black firefighters.

Division and False Information

Misinformation is spreading like wildfire as Southern California struggles with a humanitarian crisis. There have been unfounded allegations that Mayor Karen Bass showed a lack of concern for the public by defunding the fire department or by traveling abroad on a diplomatic mission. Others claim that a lack of planning put public safety at risk and have blamed city officials for a water deficit. According to Fox News writer Megyn Kelly, "LA’s fire chief has not made filling the fire hydrants top priority, but diversity." These remarks make the unfounded assumptions that the tanks were not filled and that the fire chief was preoccupied with the department's diversity program.

In conclusion

Conservatives are stoking divisiveness instead of fostering solidarity as search and rescue operations continue. Because portraying these measures as harmful serves to legitimize resistance to their implementation, DEI has been used as a scapegoat for the California wildfires. This narrative makes an effort to hide racist intent by disguising such remarks as public safety concerns. The notion that Black people are incapable of carrying out the same social tasks as white people is extremely damaging and might affect the nation's racial discourse for a long time.