Ten steps forward, 50 steps back.

That’s what the sum of progress in the U.S. feels like for many who believe in civil and human rights following President Donald Trump’s executive order against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. In one fell swoop, the new administration wiped out gains that had made America a more just place.

Included in Trump’s barrage of orders last week was a sweeping denunciation of DEI programs, policies and positions within the federal government. It calls for ending what it calls “illegal discrimination“ and restoring “merit to government service.”

Though research is mixed on the effectiveness of individual programs, it’s clear that overall DEI efforts over the past decades have made a positive difference in workplaces and other areas of American life. Some businesses report it improves their bottom lines. Still, much work remains to be done on this front. The access and opportunity playing field is not yet near level.

Not when the federal and local governments and private companies routinely have volumes of valid discrimination cases filed against them. Not when various types of bias continue to fuel police-related mistreatment of people of color.

Trump’s order implies that merit isn’t already a factor in decisions to diversify workplaces. The order suggests that no one who is nonwhite, disabled, female or otherwise “diverse“ can possibly also be qualified to do a job.

The core purpose of DEI has always been to open up access so a larger pool of qualified people from all backgrounds can be considered for jobs, promotions, better health care, housing, etc. The goal is to do away with discrimination, not promote it.

Yet, the order seeks to purge even the words diversity, equity and inclusion from the federal lexicon. How can we continue to combat historical wrongs if we cannot use the language that defines and explains solutions to past and present injustice?

Question for fair-minded Americans: What is so terrible or discriminatory about striving for workplaces that are more reflective of the actual population? Why demonize even the discussion of having an equitable nation that truly provides equal opportunities for all — no matter your race, religion, gender or whom you choose to love?

Why is it a problem to intentionally enlighten employees about creating more welcoming spaces and understanding how to be more inclusive of co-workers? Doing so helps people work together and be more productive.

America has made undeniable progress. But plenty of work remains, work that just became exponentially more difficult.

Certainly, courage is needed to fight back against the unabashed attack on civil and human rights that the Trump administration has unleashed. DEI still matters. It is a crucial tool that allows the nation to live up to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and other anti-discrimination laws this nation has wisely adopted.

— The Minnesota Star Tribune