JD Vance was a DEI success story. Now he’s working against other veterans | Opinion

State Sen. Hearcel F. Craig, D-Columbusm represents Ohio’s 15th Senate District, which encompasses areas of Franklin County, including Columbus, Bexley and Whitehall. Craig previously served two terms in the Ohio House and seven years on Columbus City Council.

As a veteran, I have always believed our nation has a sacred obligation to support those who have served our country. However, recent actions at both the federal and state levels threaten to undermine this commitment, particularly for veterans who rely on diversity, equity and inclusion programs to access opportunities and overcome systemic barriers.

The Trump administration’s elimination of federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, coupled with Ohio Senate Bill 1 — a Republican effort to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs in our state colleges and universities — have already harmed and threatened the well-being and advancement of veterans.

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are not just about race or gender; they are about creating pathways for historically marginalized or disadvantaged individuals.

Many veterans come from low-income backgrounds, face challenges reintegrating into civilian life or struggle with invisible wounds like PTSD.

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives provide critical support systems, employment opportunities and resources that help veterans succeed in higher education and the workforce. Eliminating these programs is not just shortsighted — it is an affront to the sacrifices veterans have made for our country.

JD Vance should be poster boy for DEI

 

Consider the story of Vice President JD Vance, a veteran from a low-income family, who graduated from The Ohio State University and Yale Law School.

Vance likely benefited from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives during his time there, as these programs are designed to level the playing field for individuals like him, ensuring veterans and first-generation students have a fair shot at success.

Yet, Vance now supports policies that deny those same opportunities to others. His hypocrisy is both disappointing and harmful to the working-class communities he claims to represent.

Since the Trump administration took over, their termination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and mass firings of federal employees have left many former service members unemployed or without job opportunities.

Earlier this month, at a town hall in Kansas hosted by GOP Sen. Roger Marshall, constituents in attendance voiced their disapproval over these job cuts impacting veterans. In response, Marshall abruptly ended the meeting, citing his busy schedule without addressing any of the concerns raised by the crowd.

 

This complete inability to defend his party’s actions and fight for his constituents is disgraceful but unsurprising. After all, the GOP has become completely captured by the interests of the ultra-wealthy, who want nothing more than the destruction of our administrative and regulatory systems at the expense of average Americans.

Here in Ohio, the Republican-backed Senate Bill 1 seeks to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs at our public colleges and universities.

This legislation ignores the reality that many veterans rely on these programs to access education, build networks and transition into meaningful careers. Upon their discharge, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are often the difference between thriving and merely surviving. By dismantling these efforts, we are telling veterans that their service and sacrifices were not enough to warrant our support.

To my fellow veterans and all Ohioans who believe in justice and equity, I urge you to join me in opposing these efforts and fighting to preserve diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Our veterans deserve nothing less than our full support, both in and out of the armed forces. We must honor their service by ensuring they have every opportunity to succeed in the land they promised to protect.

 

State Senator Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus) represents Ohio’s 15th Senate District, which encompasses areas of Franklin County, including Columbus, Bexley and Whitehall. Craig previously served two terms in the Ohio House and seven years on Columbus City Council.

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This article was originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch