In 2022 Counterweight, the organization that Helen Pluckrose founded and that was absorbed into the Institute for Liberal Values had a virtual conference on Alternatives to Diversity and Inclusion. Starting in 2025, we will be rolling out one talk a month that was presented at the conference. We sit down with the original presenters throughout 2025 to see what has changed since 2022. With Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives seemingly on the chopping block, we are curious to hear what our original participants are witnessing and experiencing on the ground. Is DEI really dead or just in remission? Are there healthy alternatives to DEI that we should consider, or do we throw the baby out with the bathwater and wipe our hands clean? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.
This week Elizabeth Spievak interviews Angel Eduardo. This interview took place in late 2024, so his views may have changed over the course of the past few months, but in update to his original talk on Liberal Approaches to Diversity and Inclusion, Angel tells us that buying into DEI was like buying a car that is a lemon. We should still buy cars, just not lemons. The best way to create the unity that was the kindest interpretation of some of the DEI movement, is not to dismiss the effort to value diversity and inclusion, but rather to learn to “star-man” our fellow citizens, embracing the best version of our humanity.
You can find his original conference presentation here.
Join the live conversation for our January Liberal Values Lab - Unity Not Uniformity - with Drs. Nafees Alam and Erec Smith.
In an era marked by a deep ideological divide, Nafees Alam and Erec Smith co-facilitate a groundbreaking lab to chart new territories in the quest for national unity. Participants are invited to delve into various theoretical and practical strategies to foster societal cohesion amidst diverse thought and political beliefs. This lab is premised on the assumption that unity need not entail uniformity; instead, it can emerge from a robust engagement with our differences. Nafees Alam and Erec Smith will guide participants through the complexities of understanding opposing viewpoints without necessarily agreeing with them. This approach acknowledges and values the rich tapestry of perspectives that define the national discourse. Participants will explore various mechanisms for dialogue and engagement that can be applied in educational settings, local communities, and even at the policy level to encourage a more inclusive approach to national identity and coexistence. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with innovative tools and insights that aim to bridge ideological divides and pave the way toward a more unified society. Join us in this vital conversation as we lay the groundwork for a future where unity is forged not by silencing dissent but by amplifying understanding.
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