Bishop Robert Barron argues that society's pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) conflicts with its admiration for athletic excellence, exemplified by the 2022 Olympic Games.
Bishop Robert Barron, the head of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, has sparked a debate by questioning the compatibility of society's current emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with its admiration for athletic excellence. Barron's perspective gained prominence following the 2022 Olympic Games, which showcased exceptional performances from athletes worldwide.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Bishop Barron highlighted the example of Simone Biles, an elite Olympic gymnast widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He explained that Biles' unparalleled talent stems from her ability to surpass other athletes and become the best, which inherently excludes those who could not match her level of performance.
Bishop Questions DEI in Light of Olympic 'Excellence'
Barron emphasized that such exclusion is not unjust but rather an intrinsic part of the pursuit of excellence, which is celebrated and admired in sports. He argued that the concept of equality of outcomes, a central tenet of DEI initiatives, contradicts the very essence of athletic achievement.
"Well, that's not only unjust but it militates against the very excellence that we're celebrating," Barron said, referring to the notion of imposing equal outcomes regardless of individual merit.
Bishop Questions DEI in Light of Olympic 'Excellence'
Bishop Barron further elaborated on the inherent tension between athletic achievement and so-called equity. "I don't think you can really have both those things at the same time," he said, drawing a distinction between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome.
To illustrate his point, Barron used the example of Biles' rise to the top. He asserted that if Biles had been denied opportunities due to her race or gender at any point in her career, that would have constituted an injustice that should be condemned. However, he argued that equating such equality of opportunity with equality of outcome, where the distribution of rewards or recognition corresponds to specific demographic breakdowns, is both unfair and counterproductive.
Bishop Questions DEI in Light of Olympic 'Excellence'
"She stands at the pinnacle of Olympic excellence because along the arc of her life, armies of people have been excluded," Barron explained. "Now what I mean is, not that they weren't given equality of opportunity. What I mean is, well, she won a medal, which means the other people competing with her didn't win the medal."
Barron expanded on his perspective by citing examples from other domains, including academia and music. He recalled speaking at an American university where he asked the students if their institution had achieved complete inclusivity. Despite their affirmative responses, Barron pointed out that countless individuals had been excluded from that university's admissions process to maintain its status as an elite institution focused on academic excellence.
Similarly, he noted that a world-class orchestra also excludes aspiring musicians who do not meet the required standards, despite its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Barron emphasized that such exclusions are necessary to ensure that only the most talented individuals are included in these elite organizations, where excellence is the primary goal.
In conclusion, Bishop Robert Barron's remarks highlight the fundamental tension between society's pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the inherent nature of athletic excellence. He argues that the notion of equality of outcomes undermines the very principles of competition and achievement that are celebrated in sports and other domains where meritocracy prevails. Barron's perspective has sparked a wider discussion about the balance between inclusivity and the recognition of individual talent and achievement.
