I fully embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, even though I have no employees. I will apply the objectives of DEI to all who contact me with questions or assistance with health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
California was the site of the most diverse collection of individuals in the world in 1849. Men from all over the world trekked to California to mine for gold. Not only was this population of miners incredibly diverse, speaking a variety of languages and identifying with various religions, for a short period of time, there was also equity and inclusion among the argonauts.
I am not attempting to romanticize the Gold Rush. It was a harsh life with too much alcohol and men who committed criminal acts. However, for those men devoted to mining for gold, most were treated equally and included in mining companies along the river. The measure of a man was the work they put in every day in search of gold.
The brief period of equity and inclusion would wither away when California became a state injecting politics into the mining communities. In addition, the preachers showed up reminding men that the Christian religions of the time permitted men to be prejudicial and discriminatory based on selected mythologies.
As an independent health insurance agent, I have spoken and worked with people from Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, South America, Australia, Korea, China, and Japan, to name just a few of the countries. All these people, from around the world, call California home, not unlike the Gold Rush of 1849.
It is my business model to welcome this diverse group of individuals and treat each person with equity and respect. I welcome and include people from all over the world and the U.S. because it makes me a better person and insurance agent. These people bring unique family situations into our conversations. What I learn from their experience, I can pass along to other people.
The diversity of individuals who call me is not limited to people from other counties. I work with people who identify as gay and transgender, along with same sex married couples. I welcome all these human beings because their identities do not diminish their need or the importance of access to affordable and equitable health care.
While some state and federal government agencies may be attempting to abolish and erase the principles of DEI, I will not participate in that pogrom. Regardless of who is elected, or legislation passed, no government can stop me from practicing DEI.
What Does DEI look like?
In addition to being a health insurance agent, I’m also a historian. I was shocked and aghast when I came across a racial epithet as a place name on a federal government map issued in 1941. The California gold mining bar on the American River had been referred to as Negro Bar as early as the 1850s. The lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness, coupled with unapologetic racism, allowed the federal government to exert their racial animus toward Black people on a government map and document.
The federal government continued to sanction the use of the N-word into the 1950s. Grave markers for unknown men, whose remains were relocated from a cemetery at Negro Hill because of the impending inundation of water from Folsom Lake, were stamped N****r Hill. The U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers was responsible for the offensive grave markers.
The 36 grave markers with the offensive racial slur were replaced in 2011. While awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion was just budding in the 21st century, the movement to replace the markers was the product of a growing awareness that bigotry and racism begets bigotry and racism. For 50 years, no one challenged the federal government’s designation of Negro Hill with a racial epithet.
October 25, 2011. A plan to remove and replace three dozen gravestones bearing the “N-word” at El Dorado County’s Mormon Island Relocation Cemetery was finally carried out last week with the help of some Folsom Prison inmates. Over the course of two days, inmates replaced grave markers that had for years generated controversy due to their racist inscriptions. All had been in place since 1954, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers moved the graves to make way for Folsom Lake. Although the graves had been moved from “Negro Hill,” the stones were engraved using the “N-word” in front of the word “Hill.”
http://www.folsomtelegraph.com/article/controversial-grave-stones-replaced
May 10, 2011. Among the relocated graves were those of 36 unknown settlers, likely buried between 1850 and 1870, interred at Negro Hill Cemetery. Their graves at Mormon Island Relocation Cemetery were marked with new headstones. Nothing in available U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records indicates why the more offensive term was used, but it is the primary reference in all relevant official project documents, including the relocation plan, project maps, contracts and deeds. All Corps files related to the relocation of Negro Hill Cemetery are available at spk.usace.army.mil/NegroHillCemetery.html. “We are deeply ashamed and regretful to find this word in our records, and for having perpetuated a hateful, racist word that has no place in public discourse,” said Sacramento District commander Lt. Col. Andrew Kiger. “Our hearts tell us these grave markers should be replaced. … But we recognize and respect the ongoing discussion among community members and historians about their historical accuracy, and about finding the best way to address the offense and hurt they continue to cause.”
http://www.folsomtelegraph.com/article/gravestones-used-retaining-wall
There is little doubt that people who saw the maps and grave markers with the racial slur, with the official federal government seal of approval, felt comfortable repeating the N-work for Black people. Afterall, if the federal government printed it on official maps and literally stamped it in concrete, it must be permissible to use in common speech. The action necessary to correct the systemic racism manifest in government documents was the result of emerging diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness.
In 2025, I am saddened that our government has turned its back on DEI. We are a better society for embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. I am helpless at stopping the efforts of our government to erase DEI. However, I do have the power to embrace, celebrate, and apply the principles of DEI in my own business. No government edict can stop me from embracing the diversity that founded California and implementing DEI practices where I can within my business.
If you are a small business owner and agree with DEI goals, I encourage you to publish your own DEI policy statement. It is important to let our communities know there are welcoming small businesses owners that welcome their diversity.
Below is a link to the YouTube video I created outlining my DEI affirmation.
