Jim Thompson

Email Jim at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com

One might look to the date President Harry Truman integrated the military, which was July 26, 1948, which resulted in the last all black unit being disbanded in 1954.

The military, being specialists at managing human resources (after all, they have to convince people to take a bullet, the most challenging of tasks), likely implemented their own form of DEI starting July 27, 1948.

I first ran into DEI, although it was not called that, in March 1974, right after I went to work for that little old soap company in Cincinnati.

My question to you is this: if this has been implemented so far in the past, why are we still talking about it today?

Maybe we are implementing it at the wrong age. Or maybe it has been politicized. Or maybe we do not know how to identify the implementation when we see it. Or maybe the people shouting the most about it has political goals beyond fair and balanced implementation.

I live in the US South, in a suburb of Atlanta. I have a favorite "greasy spoon" where I like to eat lunch. I observe the clientele. It is about two thirds Vietnam War Veterans, a mixture of black and white and about a third civilians, a mixture of black and white.

I would say we all get along, recognize each other, even if we don't know each other's names and help each other to get seated or get up if necessary (hardly anyone is under seventy). I would say none of us needs any DEI training.

I think Sesame Street viewers are the age to implement DEI and I think they have done a good job. Note--I am talking about racial integration, nothing else (that ought to get me a few letters).

The point is, by the time one gets to high school, college, or employment, your days of DEI training should be over.

Be safe and we will talk next week.

For a deeper dive, go here.

Study Guide: Analysis of DEI Implementation and History

This guide provides a comprehensive review of the provided text by Jim Thompson, which explores the history and implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). It includes a quiz to test comprehension, a detailed answer key, essay prompts for deeper analysis, and a glossary of key terms.

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Part 1: Short-Answer Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each, based solely on the provided source context.

1. According to the author, approximately how long has the concept of DEI been in practice?
2. What specific historical event does the author identify as a potential origin point for a form of DEI, and on what date did it occur?
3. What was the ultimate outcome of President Truman's military integration by the year 1954?
4. When and in what professional setting did the author first personally encounter a program similar to what is now called DEI?
5. List at least two of the four possible reasons the author suggests for why DEI is still a major topic of discussion today.
6. Briefly describe the clientele at the "greasy spoon" restaurant the author frequents.
7. What conclusion does the author draw from observing the interactions among the patrons at his favorite restaurant?
8. At what stage of life does the author believe DEI training should be implemented and completed?
9. What specific television show does the author praise as having done a "good job" of implementing these concepts for the correct age group?
10. The author explicitly limits his discussion of DEI to what specific aspect?

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Part 2: Answer Key

1. The author states that DEI is "at least fifty years old--more like 75." He bases this on historical events dating back to the late 1940s.
2. The author points to President Harry Truman's integration of the military as a potential starting point. This event occurred on July 26, 1948.
3. As a result of President Truman's order to integrate the military, the last all-black unit was disbanded in 1954.
4. The author first encountered a DEI-like program in March 1974. This occurred right after he began working for a "little old soap company in Cincinnati."
5. The author suggests four potential reasons: it is being implemented at the wrong age; it has been politicized; people do not know how to identify its implementation when they see it; or its most vocal proponents have political goals beyond fair implementation. (Any two of these are correct).
6. The clientele is described as being about two-thirds Vietnam War Veterans and one-third civilians. Both groups are a mixture of black and white individuals, and hardly anyone is under seventy years old.
7. Based on his observations, the author concludes that the patrons all get along, recognize each other, and offer assistance when needed. He states, "I would say none of us needs any DEI training."
8. The author believes DEI should be implemented at a very young age, targeting "Sesame Street viewers." He argues that by the time a person reaches high school, college, or employment, their "days of DEI training should be over."
9. The author identifies "Sesame Street" as a program that has done a good job of implementing DEI concepts, specifically racial integration, for its young audience.
10. The author explicitly states that his commentary is focused on "racial integration, nothing else."

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Part 3: Essay Questions

Instructions: The following questions are designed for longer, essay-style responses to encourage deeper analysis of the text. Answers are not provided.

1. Analyze the author's core argument that DEI is not a new concept. What specific historical evidence, personal anecdotes, and speculative timelines does the author use to establish a 50-to-75-year history for DEI principles?
2. Discuss the author's central question: "if this has been implemented so far in the past, why are we still talking about it today?" Explore the four potential answers the author provides, explaining how each one frames the modern discourse on DEI.
3. Examine the contrast the author draws between the formal DEI programs of today and the informal social harmony he observes at the "greasy spoon." How does this anecdote serve as evidence for his broader claims about DEI's implementation and necessity?
4. Explain the author's perspective on the proper age and method for teaching DEI concepts. How does the specific example of "Sesame Street" support his argument that such training should be completed before a person enters higher education or the workforce?
5. Evaluate the author's assertion that modern DEI discussions may be "politicized" or promoted by individuals with "political goals beyond fair and balanced implementation." What evidence or reasoning from the text underpins this suggestion?

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Part 4: Glossary of Key Terms

Term Definition within the Source Context

DEI An acronym for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Within the text, it is presented not as a modern invention but as a concept that has been implemented in various forms for 50-75 years, with a primary focus on racial integration.

Military Integration The historical process of ending racial segregation within the U.S. armed forces, initiated by President Harry Truman's order on July 26, 1948. The author posits this as the beginning of a form of DEI in a major U.S. institution.

"Greasy Spoon" A colloquial term for an informal, inexpensive diner. The author uses his favorite "greasy spoon" in a suburb of Atlanta as a case study of a racially integrated environment where patrons coexist harmoniously without formal training.

Racial Integration The process of ending the separation of people based on race. The author specifies that his entire argument about DEI is focused solely on this aspect, as opposed to other dimensions of diversity.

Politicization The act of causing an activity or subject to become political in character. The author suggests that DEI may have become politicized, which could explain why it remains a contentious topic despite its long history.

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