In a recent online clash, the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, and ‘Shark Tank’ celebrity Mark Cuban, who has a minority stake in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, exchanged heated words regarding Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in US companies.
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The Spat Unfolds
The battle kicked off when Musk criticized DEI initiatives, labeling them as ‘literally the definition of racism.’ Cuban, quick to respond on Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter), shared his perspective, stating, “…you may not agree, but I take it as a given that there are people of various races, ethnicities, orientation, etc. that are regularly excluded from hiring consideration. By extending our hiring search to include them, we can find people that are more qualified. The loss of DEI-Phobic companies is my gain.”
Musk’s Counterattack
Not one to back down, Musk fired back at Cuban, questioning when the Mavericks would include a ‘short white/Asian woman’ on their team. Cuban, in a witty comeback, shared a link to an ESPN story from April 2013 on Brittney Griner, a 2-time gold medalist with the US women’s national basketball team.
Differing Perspectives
In a separate post, Musk expressed his stance that ‘if merit for a given job is roughly the same, then the tiebreaker should be diversity (of all kinds).’ On the other hand, Cuban, contacted by Business Insider for his response to Musk’s remarks, simply stated, “Nothing to say beyond I’m just having fun.”
The Trigger
The online clash was sparked by an essay penned by hedge fund tycoon Bill Ackman, who opposed DEI initiatives. Ackman’s essay followed the resignation of Claudine Gay, Harvard’s first Black President, leading to debates on whether her appointment was based on merit or the institute’s ‘focus on diversity.’
Closing Thoughts
As the ‘battle of billionaires’ plays out in the public eye, it sheds light on the ongoing debates surrounding DEI initiatives and their implications on hiring practices in US companies. The clash serves as a reminder of the diverse perspectives on this critical issue, even among high-profile figures in the business world.
Also read: https://newseense.com/reliance-and-disney-star-sign-non-binding-agreement-for-mega-merger/
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