Moderately coherent rant inbound:
I think when conservatives speak of DEI, they're really referring to affirmative action. DEI, as I understand it, is mostly a HR thing.
I've tried explaining to conservatives, or whatever they call themselves these days, that affirmative action actually gave us better professionals. It's not like a black woman gets her pilot wings without fully qualifying as a pilot. They don't just make her a pilot because she's a black woman. I've tried explaining that this actually makes us safer, because we're getting a wider range of qualified candidates instead of like in the past when it was just the "good ol' boys" club.
They literally cannot process this, just as they cannot process sarcasm or sympathy.
The most arrogant person you'll ever meet in your life is a mediocre Southern white man. That smug grin he has. We all know it. Everyone here knows what I'm talking about. When they've restated some cliche as if profound.
That being said, the best person you'll ever meet in your life is a Southern white man who gets things. Understands things like humility and compassion. And difference. That son of a gun would be welcome in anyone's foxhole. Because he understands suffering, honor, and courage. And is willing to sacrifice and even die because of those things. He could just as easily be his mediocre peer. But he isn't.