A federal bank reportedly ran a grant competition last month that judged applicants based on “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI).
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, which is sponsored by the feds, ran an $8 million grant program in November “for a new program to help close funding gaps for affordable multifamily rental housing projects caused by the steep rise in interest rates and construction costs,” according to a press release.
“The Multifamily Housing Bridge Fund (Bridge Fund) will offer up to $500,000 per project to member financial institutions and their community housing partners in a competitive application process, which opens on November 8, 2023. The deadline for submitting applications is 11:59 p.m. EST on November 22, 2023,” the press release continued.
The problem with the grant program is that its eligibility criteria included elements of DEI.
SCOOP: The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta is now determining loans on the basis of “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” This is discriminatory, illegal, and directly subsidized by the federal government. pic.twitter.com/fEj3DuNqdY
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) November 28, 2023
The way it worked is that eligible parties received scores up to 50 based on several factors, including whether their proposal would provide housing for older adults. One of the factors just happened to be DEI.
A document from the bank specifically stated that if the party “is a minority-, women-, or disabled-owned business,” or if the party “has adopted a statement that their mission is to provide housing and services to minorities, women and/or individuals with disabilities,” then they’d receive 15 points.
Observe:
Notice the words “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” in the screenshot above.
But it gets worse. The document also contained a whole section outlining the bank’s dedication to promoting DEI.
“We are committed to embedding DEI principles across all levels of our organization and into all elements of our internal and external operations, strategic planning, and decision making,” the document read.
“We know that progress cannot be achieved through symbolic gestures or complacency; therefore, we challenge ourselves to be self-reflective, hold each other accountable, and continuously evaluate our practices to ensure the full integration of DEI into our culture. We are collectively stronger through an inclusive culture,” it continued.
Critics say this focus on DEI is patently racist, especially given the DEI-related eligibility requirements for the grant:
DEI initiatives are blatantly discriminatory and, just like affirmative action programs, they must be done away with.
— Will Hild (@WillHild) November 28, 2023
SCOTUS recently said, “Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it.” Clearly, @FHLBAtl didn’t get the memo.
— David Pivtorak (@piv4law) November 28, 2023
This is about creating a caste system, with Whites placed at the bottom.
The post hoc rationalization of “systemic past racisms or whatever” is just a “Political Formula”, a mythos and hand waving to justify it.
Pure friend-enemy distinctions
— Brad Barnes (@BradBarnesGA) November 29, 2023
Anyone who is white should still apply.
Document it for evidence so that when a class action lawsuit comes against them for discrimination, this section of the government gets absolutely cracked to the winds as they will have to pay damages in the future for this.
The more who…
— Shaun Taylor Hagerty (@ShaunTaylorH) November 29, 2023
Isn’t there a way a civil rights lawyer can sue over this… Needs to happen asap pic.twitter.com/p1Sqc9upNi
— REALliberty (@LlibertyRe51712) November 28, 2023
The good news is the bank has since scrubbed its website of documents relating to the grant program, suggesting they’re trying to backtrack.
Moreover, all this comes as DEI is slowly but surely being phased out by corporations large and small because of public backlash.
“Years after the death of George Floyd shined a spotlight on societal inequities, diversity professionals say some companies are turning their backs on the progress that’s been made to address them,” ABC News reported in July.
“Madison Butler is one of the many diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals that companies previously brought on their payroll to ensure their business is equitable and accessible for people of all backgrounds. But in recent months, Butler said she has found it increasingly hard to find work — and she’s not alone,” ABC News added.
This is music to the ears of critics, who say that DEI is a racist, backward ideology that seeks to reinstitute discrimination (mainly anti-white and anti-Asian discrimination) to correct the sins of past discrimination.
It’s part of a critical race theory, a divisive philosophy that defines people by the color of their skin. According to this philosophy, whites and Asians are at the top of the pyramid, while blacks and Latinos are at the bottom.
As such, anything that helps blacks and Latinos climb the pyramid is considered good, even if it’s something as racist as wrong as what the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta has been doing …
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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