From "DEI Hire" to MWM
Reframing the tired anti-affirmative action argument.
At this weekend’s disgraceful excuse of a political rally, Dr. Phil McGraw not only gave a full-throated endorsement of the former president, but he also took aim at DEI.
Talking about his production company, McGraw said,
“By the way, we didn’t choose the name for that by random — Merit Street Media,” he said. “This country was built on hard work, added value and talent, not on equal outcome, not on DEI. This country was built on hard work.”
Of course, social media wasn’t going to let his diversity dig slide.
One intrepid Twitter user responded by saying:
“Isn’t he only famous because of a Black woman?”
Appropriate response to ignorance comments aside, the insults and degradation are frustratingly familiar.
Vice President Kamala Harris now, and Hillary Clinton before her, like most women in positions of power and authority, are questioned about their qualifications.
People of Color in positions of authority are questioned about their qualifications.
But White men like the former president, whose qualifications were being a reality star and a sketchy businessman, are automatically approved for whatever position they seek.
The fact that Vice President Harris worked her way to the positions she’s held, while her presidential opponent inherited his wealth but is forever tagged as a “self-made man,” shows the prevailing double standard – successful women use sex to achieve their positions, but “successful” men do so through talent and hard work.
Right-wing men post memes with Harris and Clinton saying they used sexual acts to advance their careers, and videos that say, “since Kamala (used sex) to get where she is, she’s now wants to (use sex) America.”
The term “DEI hire” has replaced CRT as a White conspiracy term. People of Color or female on the wrong side of the political fence are ripe for criticism as “DEI hires.”
(Notice that no one says that Clarence Thomas was a DEI hire, but he was nominated because he was a Black man replacing a Black man on the Supreme Court. He’s an “acceptable Negro” because he does their bidding).
It’s time to change the narrative.
Let’s start talking about the people who always have and always will benefit from preferential treatment - the MWM – the Mediocre White Man.
The former president is a classic example of an MWM.
He was born into wealth and privilege, learning racism and sexism at his father’s knee.
He grew up spoiled and entitled.
He was drafted during the Vietnam War and received four draft deferments, even though a physical and a draft board deemed him able to serve.
He has repeated squandered his share of his father’s fortune.
He committed tax fraud.
His tax returns show net losses of over $1billion.
He has repeatedly filed for bankruptcy.
When he lost the presidency, he refused to accept the results and fomented riotous rebellion.
He was convicted of 34 felonies.
He constantly touts his intelligence and business acumen, despite all the evidence to the contrary.
The world we live in is dominated by MWMs like the former president.
These are White men who would not have acquired their wealth and station without built in advantages. They are fearful that someone else will benefit if the playing field is leveled.
Their natural inadequacies cause them to fear anyone outside of their group.
It doesn’t matter that the advancement of women and People of Color is good for society.
The secret shame of MWM is their low self-esteem. They know that they get ahead because of their advantages.
It benefits them to slander “the other.”
“The other” must not be allowed to succeed.
Society is not equal.
People of Color and women must daily surmount systemic prejudice and sexism to succeed. Without societal redress, we are the last hired, first fired, and never good enough despite our talent, abilities, education, and experience.
We’re never good enough, always deficient, and told we must “compete” like everyone else, even though White men have a 300,000-year head start.
They fight against affirmative action even though they have benefitted from the good-old-boy network, legacies, and thousands of years of societal advantages.
Good, talented men welcome diversity and inclusion because they know that fairness benefits society.
Good men know that everyone has something to contribute and understand that everyone should have equal opportunity.
MWMs aren’t good men.
From now on, when one of them says something about a “DEI hire,” spouts bigotry and misogyny, and tries to demean women and People of Color, call them what they are.
Mediocre White Men.