At the heart of the American experiment is the fundamental belief that all men are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It’s a doctrine that’s faced challenges over the years, and the recent wave of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, such as the one led by Ryan Polly, the vice president of DEI at MaineHealth, a hospital system which employs over 20,000 people, serves as another test.

Polly, who refers to himself as a “minister” of a group called One Spirit, recently hosted an antiracist prayer service in which a group of White people were encouraged to apologize for their internalized racism as White people, according to an article by Fox News Digital.

The stated goal of diversity and inclusion becomes questionable when it’s built upon a foundation that suggests one group’s inherent flaws is based solely on skin color.

“As the head of diversity, equity and inclusion at a major health system, I think frequently about my role as White person first and as a diversity leader second,” Polly said.

“I think about the responsibility I have to continue the deep internal work of… understanding my own racist narrative and biases,” he continued. “I think about the privilege my Whiteness affords me and the choices Whiteness allows me to have… My Whiteness keeps me and my family safe.”

Mr. Polly, clearly a product of critical race theory, believes that he maintains “racist narratives and biases,” attributing them to his skin color he is, in fact, promoting racism.

The assertion that Whiteness brings inherent “ignorance,” “biases,” and “racist thoughts” undermines the very spirit of equality. Rather than promoting understanding, it perpetuates a modern stereotype that fosters resentment and division.

The very nature of MaineHealth’s DEI initiative, as reflected by Polly’s statements, seems to sideline an entire demographic under the guise of combatting racism.

When Mr. Polly said the event was “designed with White people in mind not to take the stage,” he put forward an exclusionary doctrine. Our national fabric thrives on dialogue, understanding, and unity, but how can that be achieved when one group is ostensibly relegated to the side?

Moreover, Mr. Polly told attendees, “We need to ensure we… do the work to challenge our ignorance, our biases and the racist thoughts that we’ve acquired through the life of Whiteness.” This sentiment is meant to suggest there is an inherent shame in being born to the White race, which promotes negativity and divisiveness.

Mr. Polly ended his prayer with this thought, “Let us develop the courage to dive [into] deeply experienced discomfort. Let’s sit with it… knowing that the answers come not from our own conscious thinking because that thinking is shaped by racist constructs.”

“The answers lie deeper,” he continued. “Let us leave with the tenacity to become anti-racist and continue the fight, even on the days when we could simply choose not to. Amen.”

It is this line of thinking and belief structure that will continue to foster division across our country and the world. Even more disturbing, MaineHealth defends and supports it.

“Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion stems from our organizational values, mission and vision. This work strengthens our connections with patients and ultimately helps us to deliver higher-quality care,” MaineHealth said in a statement.

“Consistent with our value of Respect and our role as an institution of learning, we welcome and encourage divergent viewpoints and dialogue among our patients and care team,” the statement concluded.

Can true connection be fostered on the premise that one race is inherently flawed or privileged? The irony lies in the fact that this DEI initiative seems to trade one form of prejudice for another.

DEI initiatives like MaineHealth’s perpetuate a new form of discrimination and shame. When people feel shame, they are easily manipulated and controlled.

Instead of sow seeds of division and distrust wouldn’t it be refreshing to spend time on fostering relationships and unity, making for a better workplace and world?