By Renee C. Scheidt

In his amazing speech of Aug. 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and proclaimed, “I dream of the day when my four children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” He understood that character, not skin color, should be the basis by which a person is judged. I wish that were still true today. Instead, we have regressed as a society by making skin color, sexual identity and minority status the criteria by which a person is selected for various roles and employment.

This new way of thinking has replaced the standard previously used throughout our history. Meritocracy (advancement given to the most skilled, educated persons) made America a world leader in outstanding accomplishments. These achievements prove merit-based promotions work.

Now, with intentions to “fundamentally change America,” an organization has arisen standing in direct opposition to Dr. King’s teaching. Black Lives Matter is a nice-sounding title that has deceived the unknowing into thinking the group’s focus is an encouragement to Black citizens. Wrong! BLM is an openly Marxist organization seeking to rip the foundations upon which our society is built. This includes destroying the nuclear family and merit-based promotions. BLM believes that America, at its very core, is systemically a white supremacist country organized to keep Black persons from prospering. They teach the system is rigged against them and must be changed. Read their founding documents for yourself. They plan to restructure our society by discarding former methods and replacing them with their new philosophies. Thus far, it’s working well for them.

Critical Race Theory and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) are two concepts pushed by BLM to overthrow prior standards. They have wormed their way into many organizations and school curricula. Due to their acceptance, employees and students may be required to take CRT classes in hopes of re-educating them. BLM wants these unlearned persons to learn that America’s laws and methods are purposely designed to hinder the advancement of African Americans and other ethnicities while empowering white Americans.

Since they consider merit-based advancement racist, it should no longer be the reason a person is promoted. What counts is the color of the skin, coming from a minority race, and how a person identifies sexually (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and + for any new understanding coming down the pike), all of which are based on feelings, not biology and science. By doing this, communities will be more diversified in their make-up. There will be equality among the people, regardless of skill and leadership qualities since meeting DEI measurements is more important. This then, gives inclusion to all persons, thus accomplishing DEI’s goals. 

Both of these new-fangled concepts contradict Dr. King’s beliefs. See how far DEI takes you in the professional sports arena, medical field or aviation! Don’t we want the most qualified person for the job? 

Truth be told, DEI is reverse discrimination. As Dr. King said, the amount of pigment or lack thereof in my skin should not be the criteria on which the selection is awarded. I thought we settled that issue over 50 years ago. Back in the day, such practices were called “racism.”

What if we all wore glasses that made us unable to see skin color? What if people quit advertising their sexual preferences, and instead realized how inappropriate it is to flaunt one’s sexual techniques in public? What if it didn’t matter where you came from as long as you did the job well? Shouldn’t promotion come because of integrity, character, a strong work ethic, skill, persistence and responsibility? If that constitutes “systematic white racism,” count me guilty. That’s the only way I’ve ever achieved anything. My skin color had nothing to do with it.

It’s too bad the qualities Dr. King espoused are being thrown away. This doesn’t help any of us in reality, whether you’re Black, white, red, brown or polka dot. By so doing, excellence has been replaced with “good enough.” The bar is lowered and we all are worse off because of it. Wonder what Dr. King thinks of that?

Renee C. Scheidt lives in Salisbury.