On April 4, the MIT (Sloan) chapter of the Adam Smith Society co-hosted a debate on whether to abolish Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. The debate, moderated by Nadine Strossen, featured Thomas W. Smith Fellow Heather Mac Donald, who argued that equity initiatives erroneously privilege identity status over merit. There are important skills gaps that need to be solved, but attacking standards and excellence is not the way to do that. Patanjali (Pat) Kambhampati, Pamela Denise Long, and Karith Foster joined Mac Donald in the debate.

The panelists offered different perspectives and arguments, considering, among other things, the importance of lived experienced in everything from the practice of science to business decision making. Mac Donald closed the event by arguing that DEI programs distract institutions from their main focus. When it comes to universities, that focus ought to be “the joy of learning and passing on the great Western civilization filled with beauty, sublimity, creation, and wit.”