Why Conservatives Must Wield Political Power and Abolish the DEI Bureaucracy

I have been engaged in an ongoing debate with Dr. Jordan Peterson about how to restrict DEI programs and racialist ideology in America’s public institutions.

In recent conversations on Twitter, Dr. Peterson has urged caution about my education policy proposals and the reforms happening in Florida under Governor Ron DeSantis. In response, I released a sixteen-minute video with the express intent of persuading Dr. Peterson to endorse our plan to abolish DEI bureaucracies and restore the principle of colorblind equality in the public universities. I pointed out that he has repeatedly called for “D-E-I to D-I-E,” in other words, for its abolition, but when the actual policy was proposed, he hesitated. My question was: why? If DEI is a threat to academic rigor, democratic governance, and equality under law—and it is—there is no reason to hesitate. In fact, there is a duty to act.

Dr. Peterson watched the video and graciously asked me to join him on an episode of his podcast to discuss my position further. I made the case for reform and Dr. Peterson responded positively, saying that I was correct about the necessity for reform and that I had addressed his concerns. And yet, at the end of the podcast, he was still somewhat reticent to explicitly endorse my proposal, warning that there might be “snakes lurking under the

carpet.”

After the episode, I realized that Dr. Peterson’s ambiguity was not about the quality or correctness of my proposal, but was based on the difference between theoretical and prudential wisdom, or, the difference between philosophy and statesmanship. I developed a deeper appreciation for Dr. Peterson, who seems to be simultaneously attracted and repelled from political life, which operates on a profoundly different set of principles than the contemplative and intellectual life of the college professor. Dr. Peterson approaches the world philosophically, while I approach the world politically. These are not in opposition, but exist in a productive tension.

I urge you to watch the whole podcastAnd I would like to thank Dr. Peterson for his generosity of time and spiritI remain a devoted admirer of his work and consider him a friend and ally in the cause.

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