DEI is Love and Justice

Guest Post – Jason Lacsamana, Director, Programs and Partnerships

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies are under constant scrutiny and political attack. But it feels like the majority of people attacking DEI don’t really understand what it is or what it does.

DEI is simply about fairness. There’s a great clip of Pete Buttigieg that’s gone viral about the literal definitions and opposites of each word. He explains diversity is valuing each individual, equity is about creating fairness in access to opportunity and resources, and inclusion is about making space for everyone. The opposite of diversity is homogeneity, the opposite of equity is inequity, and the opposite of inclusion is exclusion. Are those really the values we want to embrace as a society?

As a person of color, a child of immigrants, and from a different background than most people in the spaces I’ve lived and worked, I was always taught that diversity is a strength. Differing points of view, ideas, and life experiences make us stronger. Weakness actually happens when there’s only one point of view or perspective.

Regardless of the rhetoric, we must understand that DEI doesn’t create unfair advantages, nor does it mean prioritizing one group over another. DEI acknowledges that not only is the playing field not level, but historically marginalized communities have not had access to the playing field at all. Creating opportunities for some doesn’t reduce opportunities for others.

Because DEI is under attack, we must push forward to educate and to further equity work.

For us at the St. Joseph Fund, DEI isn’t new. These values have been part of our work since our inception, especially over the last 10 to 15 years. Our approach is informed by Catholic Social Teaching, whose tenets are solidarity with community, uplifting human dignity, seeking the common good, and respecting subsidiarity to ensure that decisions are made at the most local, effective level.

These pillars are the foundation of our faith and our work, and they align perfectly with the intention of DEI.

This is not about political rhetoric or marketing campaigns. It is about justice and love—and sometimes love is hard.

We will not be swayed by performative backlash or political fear. Our legacy, rooted in the vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, calls us to something deeper. DEI is not a trend. It’s our mission, grounded in faith, carried out through action, and centered in love.

I am grateful for the foundation the Sisters laid and that I am able to fight for justice and love. I encourage individuals and funders to fight back against the dangerous dismantling of DEI by speaking up. We must continue advocating and educating others who may not understand the principles of DEI, and above all, we need to ensure that everyone has access to the playing field.