Western Reader
As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deals with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, it is facing criticism for its recent diversity training initiative.
Despite having over 1,000 missing Americans following the catastrophic fires, FEMA has made a three-hour diversity training mandatory for its employees, sparking controversy and criticism.
The training, which argues that white supremacy is deeply ingrained in American systems and institutions, has been met with skepticism.
Chauncia Willis, CEO of the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management, delivered the training live to FEMA employees months ago.
Never trust FEMA pic.twitter.com/nnM90b2EOD
— illuminatibot (@iluminatibot) August 20, 2023
The presentation was recorded and played back to employees, with pauses for small group discussions.
Willis’ presentation challenged the common perception of white supremacists, arguing that they can be found in everyday environments like workplaces and schools.
However, the training is not mandatory for all employees. FEMA Resilience employees have the option to choose from three different modules.
Despite this, the agency requires two trainings for all employees: “Civil Rights and FEMA Disaster 2023” and “Including People with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs in Disaster Operations.”
While FEMA’s commitment to promoting equity in emergency management is commendable, the timing of these trainings has raised concerns. The agency is currently facing criticism for its handling of the Hawaii wildfires.
With as many as 1,100 individuals still unaccounted for, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell struggled to provide a clear explanation for this alarming statistic.
Maui Fire – ‼️ WTF!! WATCH THIS!!! ‼️
FEMA Corruption In Maui 👀🤔#Lahaina #fire #Maui #MauiFire #hawaiifire #Hawaii pic.twitter.com/N4p6SFbxF1— HumanDilemma (@HumanDilemma_) August 24, 2023
Adding to the controversy, President Joe Biden has faced scrutiny for his delayed response to the Maui wildfires.
After initially addressing the disaster, he went four days without commenting on it and has repeatedly refused to answer media inquiries about the situation. His brief visit to Hawaii, lasting less than six hours, did little to address the rising discontent.
FEMA was also criticized for housing hundreds of employees in five-star resorts in Hawaii, far from the disaster sites.
The luxurious accommodations, costing $1,000 per night, were deemed selfish by local government employees who argued that the agency should be closer to the disaster site.
While FEMA’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are commendable, the timing and execution of these initiatives amidst a major crisis have led to significant backlash.
As the agency continues to navigate the fallout from the Hawaii wildfires, it must balance its commitment to equity with its primary responsibility of effective disaster management.
This article appeared in StatesmanPost and has been published here with permission.
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