“Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him (or her) into the world.”

–Maria Montessori, Italian physician and educator

Let’s talk about DEI–diversity, equity, and inclusion. Some very bright people thought it was a good idea, but the government and many corporations are now turning away from it. To quote the 60s R&B group, The Orlons: “Don’t Hang Up!” This is not a political post.

We’re in the season of Lent, a time of preparation for Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, where he experienced a horrible death and, we Christians believe, he then rose from the dead on the third day. To honor this sacred season in our lives, I want to talk about Christian DEI, if there is such a thing. So, here goes:

• Diversity. Was Jesus’ message one of diversity? No! In our acceptance of him as our Lord and Savior, we’re all the same–believers, saved by his grace. We may not look alike, but a thread of faith unites us.

• Equity. Was his message one of equity? No! While we all come into the world as innocent children of God, our outcomes depend on whether we profess a belief in Christ or take a pass. That decision determines our ultimate fate, not our gender, race, age, sexual orientation, level of education, or anything else.

• Inclusion. Did Jesus preach inclusion? Absolutely! His was a message for Jews, Gentiles, heretics, atheists–you name it. In fact, figuratively speaking, inclusivity was one of the things that set the Pharisees’ collective hair on fire. (And, if your response is, “Why would I join a bunch of hypocrites?”  I say, “Hey, there’s always room for one more!”)

Perhaps you’re not a believer. How does this “take” on DEI apply to you or, in a larger sense, to our secular society?

As I said, we enter the world as innocent babies. Granted, some start with the handicap of a mother who chose bad habits over good health care, and some are genetically disadvantaged, but the vast majority of babies are born healthy. Theirs is an empty slate, waiting on their parents, extended family, teachers, and support groups to fill that slate with the nurture children desperately need.

It’s in a child’s formative years that positive or negative influences determine outcome. Poverty, single parent homes, substance abuse, and the devaluing of education all reduce a child’s opportunity for success. Sometimes it’s not politically correct or convenient to say so, but these are the issues we need to focus on.

Children need to experience a nuclear family; the blessing of early childhood education; instruction on money, income, and expenses before teens come of age and enter the work force; and the opportunity for post-high-school graduation academic study or technical/trade training. These are things we should address–not by the federal government, mind you, but by our states, communities, churches, and civic organizations. The feds had their shot and blew it. Our children and grandchildren depend on us, not bureaucrats in Washington, DC.

Short of providing these experiences, we put children at risk for failure. If they reach their later teenage years and don’t value the things that promise success, the die is cast, the horse is out of the barn–pick any metaphor you like.

Taking a young  person or older adult and putting them in a position where they’re almost guaranteed to fail does society no good and deprives the individual of experiencing the motivating power of self-esteem–the power of positive thinking, if you will.

Granted, no social experiment or intervention will enjoy one hundred percent success. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. That’s our best shot at including all of God’s children in the bounty derived from living in this great land!