Over the years, in conversations with people with differing perspectives than mine, I have warmed up to the idea that two beliefs, statements, and actions that seem to contradict each other can both be true.
Data Is Unimportant
The Trump administration’s dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives raises questions about the importance placed on data. First, less than 25 percent of chief diversity officers are Asian, Black, Hispanic, or Indigenous American. Additionally, only about 1 in 4 air traffic controllers and airfield operations specialists belong to these same groups, and merely 1 in 17 are Black, Hispanic, or Multiracial women (see Table 1). These statistics do not align with Trump administration’s actions or statements. Finally, if the Trump administration were genuinely committed to an “America First” approach—though it’s worth noting that this does not necessarily mean prioritizing Americans—then halting funding for government DEI programs, many of which aim to enhance the competitiveness of the United States, is counterproductive.
Table 1. Air traffic controllers and airfield operations specialists: 2023
| Ethnicity/Race and Sex | Count | Percent |
| Asian Men | 1,205 | 2.4 |
| Black Men | 3,045 | 5.8 |
| Black Women | 1,741 | 3.4 |
| Hispanic Men | 6,008 | 11.8 |
| Hispanic Women | 630 | 1.2 |
| Indigenous American Men | 65 | 0.1 |
| Multiracial Men | 2,915 | 5.7 |
| Multiracial Women | 679 | 1.3 |
| White Men | 27,490 | 53.7 |
| White Women | 7,258 | 14.2 |
| Total | 51,036 | 100 |
Source: Calculation by the Women’s Institute for Science, Equity and Race using the 2023 American Community Survey, United States Census Bureau, downloaded from https://www.ipums.org.
Your Data, More Data
Simultaneously, as the Trump administration ignores or is ignorant of the data and benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, Elon Musk has access to the Treasury payment system and access to data on millions of Americans. I understand Musk’s interest in having extensive data on Americans; however, my understanding should not be mistaken for an alignment with his motives or usage of that data. I desire more data on Americans to conduct analyses that identify patterns of inequality and the levers to mitigate the effects of structural racism, sexism, classism, and nationalism. I desire more data on Americans to conduct analyses that can make shifts happen – false narrative. I desire more data on Americans to conduct analyses that increase the well-being of all Americans independent of immigrant status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Data-Driven Policy
I believe in the importance of data-driven policy, especially if the policy is based on data that has been disaggregated by the characteristics believed to influence an outcome. However, I am not confident that policies rooted in data, rather than fear, will be the standard for the next two to four years. What keeps me optimistic is the advice I received at a town hall meeting hosted by the Association of Public Data Users. The advice was simple: regardless of who creates the policy, our role is to provide the data and research so policies can be data-driven. The takeaway: keep doing what you are doing!
