Another Voice: Diversity should be celebrated and DEI efforts encouraged

This article originally appeared in the Buffalo News on 5/16/25. It can be viewed here.

As concerned community members, we feel a responsibility to respond to recent actions taken by the current president and his administration.
 
Max Donatelli is a parent of a young man with Down syndrome and  disabilities rights advocate.

First, there is a serious misrepresentation of diversity, equity and inclusion, and its importance in making our community more inclusive. It is harmful to characterize all DEI efforts that include more people into the workforce, in leadership positions, and other valued parts of our community as being un-American.

What makes America such a gorgeous mosaic is when our neighbors who have traditionally been marginalized, including minorities, those with developmental disabilities, those who have mental health challenges and those living in poverty are fully embraced, supported and loved.
 
We have dedicated our professional lives to advocate for those who have been challenged by a system that has caused harm based on race, disability, gender, economic status, religion and sexuality. Based on our experiences professionally and personally serving these populations, attacking diversity, equity and inclusion is not only shortsighted and hurtful policy, but it will add to the burden of those who are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those in our community.

Human history has taught us that attacks on vulnerable populations because they are not deemed worthy of governmental support leads to further prejudice and exclusion.

These are our neighbors of every socioeconomic status who reside in the urban, suburban and rural parts of Erie County. America is great when we provide support to those marginalized, those going through a crisis, and those requiring-short-term help, as well as those who are courageously facing a lifetime of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
History teaches us that stereotyping diversity, equity and inclusion creates an atmosphere of fear, hate and indifference. This is not a partisan political issue, but it is about the choices we make as a society to value every member of the human family. We hope that our fellow community members will see this not as something to divide us but to bring us together.
 
Max Donatelli is a parent of a young man with Down syndrome and a disabilities rights advocate; Pastor George Nicholas is a parent of young man living with autism and is CEO of the Health Equity Center of Buffalo.