July 2025

When the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 people said you can pass a law but you cannot change people’s hearts, meaning of course that racism could not be undone by a bill. In 2025, that thought still holds, but in the reverse. Laws and directives to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion can be passed and issued, but they cannot change the way DEI has become part of our hearts. The progress those 3 words represent has become part of how we think, how we live, mostly how we are, since too many of us by the nature of our being speak of their significance. In fact, corporations are discovering that their shareholders believe in DEI programs. Costco made headlines when its leadership continued to endorse it. Now reports tell us that 98% of shareholders believe in DEI initiatives. Those of Costco yes but also those of companies like Disney and Apple. That is even more important than it looks because it is interpreted to mean that shareholders believe that DEI programs are conducive to financial performance. And of course, shareholders are the public. There are currently efforts to defund any program remotely connected to DEI, to eliminate the idea altogether, to punish those who engage in it, to entice universities and other educational institutions to abandon them in toto. Will they succeed? On the surface and for the limited present. But there are too many of us who carry within us the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, whose lives reflect their existence and their rewards for it not to endure, persist and live on.

So much is going on and being said about AI. While AI is and will be helpful, there are and will be not only dangers but huge consequences. Yet it seems little is being done to address the colossal impact it will have on our society and no doubt our civilization.

A recent newsletter I receive from the news organization Axios, however, called for an AI Marshall Plan. Why? Because Axios, for one, recognizes AI is creating what it calls a revolution and not enough attention is being given to it.  I want to share the gist of at least some of what they suggested.

They suggest actions from a tried mix of government, business and media. At present, for example. Congress is shirking what it could do.  Some of what is asked for would require a political and public awareness and something they call “high-level AI sophistication.” They also suggest a “global American-led AI super-alliance.” Involving other countries is deemed crucial if the US and its allies is to be able to compete and succeed in this existential battle with China. To note, the President opposes regulation which he sees as interfering with the US early lead with AI and the Congress agrees. Further Axios suggests that while CEOs and AI experts are mystified by how the US has alienated allies, they could form their own super-alliance with like minded countries and while playing by US rules could strengthen things like the supply chain. There’s a lot more to this proposed Marshall Plan but you get the idea that much can be done and much needs to be done.