Prominent figures including Elon Musk and Donald Trump have attacked the Los Angeles Fire Department’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as wildfires rage across the city. These accusations are baseless. Here, Rita Nasr shares her response.
Maya Angelou once said, “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” This profound statement encapsulates the essence of our world—a mosaic where each race, culture, gender, and traditions contribute to its overall beauty. Over time, we have made significant strides in embracing and celebrating our differences.
Organisations play a crucial role in this journey. By adopting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices, they recognise that, as Jesse Jackson aptly put it, “Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.” Diverse voices around the table lead to better outcomes.
As a multicultural woman, I once believed my voice could be heard. However, recent events have cast a shadow over this progress. If you haven’t heard yet, the devastating fires in Los Angeles are being blamed on DEI policies implemented by the LA Fire Department. The fires have sparked a troubling debate, as this narrative suggests that DEI initiatives within the LA Fire Department have hindered their ability to effectively combat the fires, claiming that a more homogeneous, male-dominated force would have managed better.
This perspective is not only unfounded but also harmful and is being spread by influential figures, including billionaire tech owners, influential conservatives and even the President-elect. The claim that white men would have contained the fires by now is ridiculous, despite only five per cent of firefighters in Los Angeles being women.
DEI means people DIE https://t.co/f86ZXam5oz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2025
DEI policies are designed to create a more inclusive and equitable environment, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender, race, or background, have the opportunity to contribute and excel. Blaming these policies for natural disasters diverts attention from the real issues and needs of those affected by the fires.
Reading such baseless accusations fills me with anger. As an Australian who lived through the Black Saturday fires in 2009, my heart goes out to those affected. People need resources, clothing, food, and medical care—not divisive rhetoric blaming women, trans people, and lesbians for natural disasters.
DEI has given me a seat at the table—a seat fought for by strong women before me. As a mother, I have faced intersecting barriers and had to make difficult choices between my career and my children. DEI policies and practices provide opportunities that might otherwise be closed to diverse individuals.
It is disheartening to see DEI initiatives labelled as a “woke illness” and organisations retreating from their commitments. Big tech platforms amplifying misinformation only adds to the problem. Despite over 90 per cent of Fortune 1000 CEOs and billionaires being white men, there are now claims that organisations lack masculinity and aggression, thank you Mark Zuckerberg for this profound insight.
Women have long navigated predominantly male organisations with male leadership teams. We have tolerated low-paying, insecure jobs and sacrificed careers to raise the next generation. We continue to fight for equal pay and representation in government, on boards, and in leadership roles. We retire with less superannuation and women over 50 are the fastest growing cohort facing homelessness.
Why are these white men so intimidated by DEI? Why can’t we be judged on performance rather than appearance? Mistakes may have been made in handling the LA fires, but blaming DEI is absurd. The focus should be on providing immediate aid and addressing the root causes of such disasters, rather than scapegoating DEI initiatives. DEI didn’t start the fires.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “We will all profit from a more diverse, inclusive society—understanding, accommodating, even celebrating our differences while pulling together for the common good.”
Now is the time to unite, not create further divisions. The notion that DEI policies are to blame for the fires is a distraction from the real work that needs to be done to support affected communities and prevent future tragedies.