LETTER: TED Makes Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Compliant

SOMERS, CT — Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming began in government, spread to corporate America and is now entering our public schools.

The problem is that equity and inclusion operates in conflict with our constitution.

Equity in education has traditionally meant extra allocation of resources for the learning or physically disabled and special needs students to promote equitable outcomes, based on specific clinical needs. Now, through these programs, it has been expanded to be based on race, gender or identity orientation. This presents a direct challenge to the constitutionality of the equal protection clause and anti-discrimination laws.

Inclusion has an innocent enough dictionary definition but through these programs it requires a compulsory acceptance of things that can lead to the infringement of others constitutional liberties. It is an encroachment violation that unfortunately will only get resolved in the courts.

The good news is that there's a much better alternative that is proven, is positively empowering and that builds unity from a level platform. It's an approach that teaches to all students equally, focuses on developing each child using a portfolio of the most effective and universal innately human characteristics. These common qualities have been referred to as shared human traits, attributes, effective habits, qualities, virtues or moral principles.

Stephen Covey referred to them as effective human habits that we all have an opportunity to possess and develop.

Religionists call them moral codes, commandments or principles of conduct.

Intellectuals call them moral or Noble human virtues.

Whatever you want to call them, they exist as an undeniable reality within every single student and as a watermark criteria that is attainable and achievable by every single human being. Whereby developing these shared habits or common principles, one has a shot at managing a much more effective life independently and autonomously, which of course is a primary goal of education.

TED recognizes that intellectual Tolerance, Equality and Diversity of thought must happen first before any positive physical changes can occur and it does this without any of the negative divisiveness or constitutional challenges associated with the current programming. TED teaches to whole individuals and builds every student up by giving them the best tools proven and universally shared across our common humanity.

Bob Chester
Somers Board of Education candidate

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