Officials in an Oregon county are dismantling the office of diversity, equity and inclusion, which costs about $830,000 a year, despite protests from people who oppose the rollback of social justice efforts. .
”[We] Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West told Fox News: “We believed it was really important to focus on merit, fairness and equality, rather than racializing our workplaces and our county. “The county didn't want that to happen anymore.”
The Clackamas County Commission began discussions last spring about dissolving the Office of Equity. On February 5th, the office will be officially dismantled and two of the three staff positions will be reassigned to other departments. (St. Petersburg)
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Clackamas County's commitment to equity began in 2004 with a volunteer advisory committee. And in 2020, as racial justice protests swept the nation and raged in nearby Portland for more than 100 consecutive nights, the county created a three-person Office of Equity and Inclusion.
County Commissioner Mark Shull proposed defunding the office. last springsaid it was an “unnecessary expense” that would “only add to friction”.
Earlier this month, county administrators sent a memo to employees announcing that the department would be disbanded, effective Feb. 5. The department's two full-time positions will be transferred to other departments. According to an email shared with Fox News, one position is that the county will focus on complying with federal and state civil rights laws, while the other position is that the county will focus on “providing a community that is accessible and inclusive to all.” It supports “social engagement and communication initiatives.”
Protesters chant slogans in Portland, Oregon, November 4, 2020. Following the death of George Floyd, the city has seen months of protests and, at times, violence. ((AP Photo/Paula Bronstein))
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Reactions have been mixed. Last August, residents both for and against cuts to the DEI sector packed a rally. county commissioners meeting. Local news reports said some people mocked West as he tried to speak.
At least five Clackamas County mayors have so far signed an open letter urging commissioners to expand, not reduce, equity and inclusion efforts. More than 700 other community members, business owners, organizations and politicians also signed the letter.
“This is not a budget issue, this is not a financial crisis issue. This is an issue with racism, sexism, and all the things that this country is trying to overcome,” said Emmett Wheatfall, former diversity manager for Clackamas County. he said. oregonian last year. Wheatfall retired in 2019 before the county created a new Office of Equity.
Oregon County focuses on “diversity of ideas,” commissioner says:
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Clackamas County is one of three counties that make up the Portland metropolitan area. Although residents lean toward the Democratic Party, they have supported Republican gubernatorial candidates in the past few elections.
West, a plaintiff in the lawsuit that legalized same-sex marriage in Oregon and the father of a black son, said the move shows the county's commitment to “diversity of thought” rather than identity politics.
“We value you regardless of your immutable characteristics,” West said. “Those are not the things that make you unique and special to Clackamas County. It's that personal spark within you that makes you human.”
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The DEI field skyrocketed in popularity amid the political unrest in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. Many universities, companies and government agencies have scaled back their diversity efforts in recent months.
Click here to learn more about West.
