Op-ed on the New Bill by a Rookie Legislator to Dismantle DEI

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Aron works for out-of-state billionaires and has not reached out to his constituents. I am a constituent of House of Representative District 68 and School Board Representative District 7, Aron Maberry holds both positions. He represents me in two different capacities.  In the military, we refer to this as double dipping. He is seizing control of multiple positions at the table while simultaneously implying that some of us don’t deserve a seat at all.  

This youth pastor is attempting to revert us to the days of Jim Crow. He’s satisfied with a sea of sameness.  He supported school vouchers that resegregate our school system and benefit only 2% of our population. Hopefully, there will be proper financial oversight concerning the potential opening of a private Christian school and the fact that Aron and his wife are paid staff members of that church.

 Now, he’s sponsoring a bill to dismantle DEI (Diversity Equity, and Inclusion) programs. Aron and I attended the same church for several years, and it was there that I first encountered preachers speaking so openly about politics. Despite the red flags, we stayed because our son loved the youth group, he was the only Black boy in attendance. We had to address multiple incidents involving confirmation bias within the leadership staff of this church. Our son wasn’t afforded the same leniency as other youth, and we finally found another church.

Aron's stance on DEI comes as no surprise to me. He has never been the only White person in a group, nor have his children ever been the only White children inside a classroom. Our son graduated from CMCSS without having a Black male teacher in 13 years. Aron, an alumnus of Rossview High School, knows that there is only one Black teacher in the entire school.  Aron has benefited from checking the right boxes, running uncontested, and now seeking more power. He has never lost a job to a BIPOC.

I asked Aron for an explanation of my access to reasonable accommodations as a disabled veteran, but he has yet to respond to my email. Reasonable accommodations fall under the umbrella of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).  DEI initiatives advocate for policies like FMLA. Without the protections provided by FMLA, I wouldn’t have the necessary safeguards in the workplace. These injuries are chronic, and service related.

I encourage local pastors and community leaders to call out Aron for his problematic behavior. Assuming that BIPOC individuals are underqualified, less capable than their peers, or simply fulfilling a quota is not an innocent mistake.  It is a form of microaggression and harmful to mental health. People are qualified but may not be born in the right zip code or have the right last name.

Interestingly, a position was created for an unqualified person within his political party, and no one seemed bothered that a young White differently abled woman was the best candidate based solely on resumes. And not even interviewed for the drone position with the County. 

Aron prides himself on being the first Republican on the School Board, showcasing that representation does indeed matter—though he seems selective about when it does. He mentioned he would willingly step down from the School Board but insists on a Republican replacement. Is this truly based on merit? Would Jesus approve of this behavior?

Monica M. Meeks

Disabled Veteran