As you have likely heard, President Trump is moving quickly to repeal and abolish all DEI programs within the Federal Government. This is somewhat identical to the moves by the Utah Legislature in recent sessions, with their primary aim directed towards the Stae’s institutions of higher learning. But others have been directly affected. As you likely know, the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct speaks to DEI issues and asks all planners nationwide to “include those who lack formal organization or influence, especially underrepresented communities and marginalized people. Attention and resources should be given to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion and should reflect the diversity of the community” (Section A, 2, 2).
Right now, I can see this going in a couple of ways. If a private corporation or a nongovernmental organization does not receive federal funding, they may be able to proceed as they did before Trump 2.0. On the other hand, they may succumb to public and political pressures and move to abandon any DEI initiatives they have in place. But what do planners, particularly Utah’s planners, do to recognize these two possible scenarios? For me, it is staying the course. Planners have a solemn duty to hear all voices, both the loud and the timid. To see all people. To shun discrimination in any form and recognize the inherent beauty and value within each individual, young and old, the powerful and the powerless, the strong and the weak. Stand up and be the voice of fairness and reason. Let us go out of our way to embrace and include everyone in our professional and personal actions. How we act can be a clear, unmistakable, and clarifying clue for the behaviors of others.
