Privilege Over Progress: How Aristocratic Immigrants Undermine Equity and Inclusion
As a global DEI Thought Leader and a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, I find the appointments of Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk to the Trump administration's newly established "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) deeply concerning. Both individuals, though immigrants or descendants of immigrants, come from extraordinarily elite, wealthy backgrounds that insulate them from the challenges faced by ordinary working-class Americans. Their lack of government experience, divisive rhetoric, and the mandate they’ve received to recommend sweeping restructuring of federal government agencies compound doubts about their ability to serve the broader interests of the American people.
Elite Backgrounds, Detached Perspectives
Vivek Ramaswamy is the son of immigrants from India’s Brahmin caste, the highest and most privileged class in India's rigid caste hierarchy. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he grew up in an exclusive environment of wealth and privilege. A Harvard and Yale graduate, Ramaswamy leveraged his elite education to build a fortune in biotech through his company Roivant Sciences before entering politics.
His rise has been marked by divisive far-right ideologies, exemplified in his 2021 book Woke, Inc., where he criticized corporate America's focus on environmental and social issues. Ramaswamy’s narrative glorifies "American-style capitalism" for supposedly improving caste hierarchies in India, a claim that ignores the ongoing systemic oppression of lower-caste communities. His rhetoric and policies reveal a troubling detachment from the struggles of marginalized groups, both in the U.S. and globally.
Elon Musk, meanwhile, was raised in apartheid-era South Africa in a highly privileged environment that shielded him from the systemic inequities around him. His ascent to global prominence as a tech billionaire through ventures like Tesla and SpaceX has not translated into a nuanced understanding of working-class struggles. Musk’s ambitious goal of cutting $2 trillion from government spending, alongside Ramaswamy’s plans to downsize federal agencies, reflects a disregard for the realities faced by everyday Americans who depend on these programs and institutions.
Policies That Marginalize
As part of their role in DOGE, Ramaswamy and Musk have been tasked with recommending restructuring measures for federal government agencies. However, their proposed vision focuses on austerity and cost-cutting rather than equity and inclusion.
Ramaswamy’s hardline stances on immigration, including the deportation of all undocumented immigrants and limiting refugee admissions to “darn close to zero,” disregard the human cost of such policies. His disparaging remarks about Black Americans and his ties to Hindu supremacist groups further highlight a pattern of exclusion and divisiveness. Musk’s focus on radical fiscal conservatism similarly ignores the systemic struggles of millions of Americans who rely on public institutions and programs.
Their combined approach threatens to exacerbate existing disparities, marginalizing communities that are already underserved. Neither individual has demonstrated an understanding of—or even an interest in—the lived experiences of working-class Americans. Instead, their policies prioritize efficiency over empathy, austerity over equity.
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The Larger Implications
As leaders, it is imperative to champion policies that uplift and unite rather than divide and marginalize. True leadership requires the humility to listen and learn from those most affected by systemic inequities and the courage to address those inequities head-on. Yet Ramaswamy and Musk’s privileged backgrounds and controversial ideologies make them ill-equipped to lead in a way that reflects the diverse fabric of the nation.
Their detachment underscores a larger issue: the danger of entrusting decisions about systemic reform to individuals who have little connection to or understanding of the realities faced by ordinary Americans. Restructuring government should be done with a focus on enhancing equity, inclusion, and access—not deepening existing divides.
A Call to Action
To truly drive progress, we must demand leadership that reflects the diversity of our communities and works tirelessly to dismantle systemic barriers rather than reinforce them. The future of our democracy depends on fostering inclusion, not exclusion; understanding, not ignorance.
As a DEI champion, I see the rise of privileged, aristocratic leaders like Ramaswamy and Musk as a form of cognitive dissonance—immigrants who have benefited immensely from systemic privilege, yet perpetuate policies that ignore or deepen systemic discrimination.
As I often say: "Privilege unacknowledged becomes an obstacle to justice. To lead with integrity, we must confront privilege, center equity, and create pathways for all—not just the few." Let us hold leaders accountable to these principles and ensure they embody fairness, inclusion, and compassion for all Americans.
Effenus Henderson