DEI Was the Biggest Con of the Century

The article by Stanley K. Ridgley argues that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become one of the biggest cons in modern education, fostering ideological extremism and bureaucratic growth within colleges.

1. Definition of DEI: DEI is portrayed as a bureaucratic initiative that has embedded numerous administrators in educational institutions, pushing a one-dimensional view of diversity based on race.

2. Origins and Expansion: Ridgley recounts the introduction of DEI during the COVID pandemic, describing it as an ideological movement focused on social justice that quickly spread through academia.

3. Methods of Control: The rise of DEI was aided by the use of fear and social unrest, particularly during the summer of 2020, compelling colleges to adopt these programs to avoid public backlash.

4. Criticism of DEI: The author characterizes DEI as a con, suggesting it masquerades as noble but is fundamentally flawed, promoting mediocrity and pseudoscience instead of genuine diversity.

5. Evolution of Terminology: Ridgley predicts that as DEI faces criticism and decline, new terms will emerge to disguise its failure while maintaining the same underlying ideology.

6. Ideological Consequences: The author connects extremists' violent acts, such as that of Luigi Mangione, to the ideological motivations surrounding DEI, suggesting a broader danger posed by these beliefs.

Ridgley portrays DEI as a manipulative construct that has infiltrated higher education, leading to significant ideological and bureaucratic shifts. He anticipates future iterations of DEI under new labels, while the underlying issues persist, reflecting a historical pattern of societal con stories. 

https://amgreatness.com/2025/03/01/dei-was-the-biggest-con-of-the-century/