Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Are American Values: A Case for Belonging and Opportunity

Introduction: Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become increasingly contested topics in American public life. Yet beneath the political debates are fundamental questions about the kind of country we want to build: Who belongs? Who has access to opportunity? And are the promises of American democracy available to everyone?

A response from U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries offers a compelling way to consider these questions. He connects diversity, equity, and inclusion to foundational American principles, including the national motto, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Pledge of Allegiance.

These connections matter because belonging and fairness are not just institutional initiatives or political talking points. They are questions about how we live together, how we treat one another, and whether our communities create meaningful opportunities for everyone.

As an Ojibwe scholar, educator, and author, I believe these conversations benefit from looking beyond political labels and examining the principles that help people build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Reflect American Ideals

In response to a reporter's question about changing attitudes toward diversity, equity, and inclusion, Jeffries argued that these principles are American values. He grounded his response in familiar elements of the nation's civic identity.

His argument can be summarized through three foundational American ideals: diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Diversity: E Pluribus Unum

The United States has long been associated with the motto E pluribus unum, meaning “Out of many, one.”

The phrase expresses an ideal of unity among people with different backgrounds, experiences, and identities. It recognizes that a shared national identity does not require everyone to be the same.

Diversity is about recognizing and respecting the variety of people who make up our communities. It acknowledges that people bring different perspectives, histories, knowledge, and talents to the places where they live, learn, and work.

The challenge is to build a shared sense of purpose without demanding that people abandon the differences that make them who they are.

Equity: Equal Protection Under the Law

Jeffries also pointed to the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which includes the Equal Protection Clause.

Ratified in 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment established an important constitutional foundation for equal protection under the law. Its history reflects the nation's continuing struggle to define and uphold the rights and protections promised to its people.

Equity asks whether people have a fair opportunity to participate and succeed. It requires us to consider whether laws, policies, and institutions provide meaningful access to opportunity rather than assuming that identical treatment will always produce fair outcomes.

The principle of equal protection is a reminder that fairness is not simply a matter of personal preference. It is connected to the legal and civic commitments that shape American society.

Inclusion: Liberty and Justice for All

The Pledge of Allegiance concludes with a promise of “liberty and justice for all.”

Those words express an aspiration that extends beyond any one group. Inclusion means building communities where people can participate, contribute, and experience a genuine sense of belonging.

It is not enough to say that everyone is welcome if people are routinely excluded from meaningful participation. Inclusion requires us to consider how our schools, workplaces, public institutions, and communities operate in practice.

The ideal of liberty and justice for all invites us to examine whether our actions live up to our stated commitments.

DEI Is About Opportunity and Merit

One of the most important points in Jeffries's response is that diversity, equity, and inclusion are connected to economic opportunity and merit.

At their best, DEI efforts aim to ensure that people have a fair chance to demonstrate what they know, what they can do, and what they can contribute. Opportunity should not depend solely on personal connections, inherited advantages, or whether someone already belongs to a powerful network.

This is particularly important in education and employment. When people face unnecessary barriers to participation, communities lose out on their talents and contributions.

Creating fair opportunities does not mean abandoning high standards. It means asking whether those standards are relevant, whether people have a reasonable opportunity to meet them, and whether decisions are based on their abilities and contributions.

A commitment to merit is strongest when people have a genuine opportunity to demonstrate their merit.

Belonging and Opportunity in Education

These principles have important implications for Indigenous education and the experiences of Native American students.

Schools serve students with different cultural backgrounds, family experiences, languages, and ways of understanding the world. Educators have an opportunity to build learning environments where students are respected, challenged, and supported.

For Native students, this includes recognizing Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, and contemporary experiences as meaningful parts of education. It also means ensuring that students can see their communities represented accurately and respectfully in what they learn.

Culturally responsive education does not require lowering expectations. It asks educators to consider how relationships, teaching practices, and learning environments can help more students engage with challenging material and succeed.

The same principles apply to other institutions. When people feel seen, valued, and included, they have more opportunities to participate fully and contribute their knowledge and abilities.

Belonging is not a substitute for excellence. It helps create the conditions in which excellence can flourish.

Moving Beyond Political Labels

Public conversations about DEI can become so focused on political labels that people lose sight of the underlying questions.

What does fairness look like in practice? Are opportunities accessible? Are people treated with dignity? Do our institutions recognize the contributions of the people they serve? Are we living up to the principles we say we believe in?

These are questions worth asking regardless of political affiliation.

The language used to describe diversity, equity, and inclusion may change over time, but the underlying concerns about fairness, opportunity, and belonging remain important. Examining those concerns directly can help move conversations beyond slogans and toward practical solutions.

It is also important to recognize that no single program or policy will solve every problem. Building inclusive communities requires thoughtful implementation, honest evaluation, and a willingness to learn from the experiences of the people affected by our decisions.

The goal should be to create institutions where people can contribute meaningfully, where expectations are clear, and where barriers that have nothing to do with ability or potential do not determine who succeeds.

Recommended Resources

Books by Anton Treuer

  • The Cultural Toolbox — Practical insights into cultural understanding, communication, and building relationships across differences.

  • The Language Warrior's Manifesto — Explore Indigenous language revitalization, cultural continuity, and the importance of sustaining Indigenous languages.

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