Opinion: Tolerance of diversity is central to San Diego’s economic growth

Downtown San Diego Bay and the Coronado bridge File photo courtesy Port of San Diego New research from the National Endowment for the Arts shows what numerous intuitively understand cities like San Diego that are tolerant of diversity are the ones majority likely to attract the creative and innovative workforce that will define the future And yet just as we face a new era of economic transformation driven by artificial intelligence automation and global interdependence we are witnessing a troubling resurgence of intolerance religious racial ethnic gender and linguistic discrimination and prejudice This backlash not only tears at the fabric of our democracy it also threatens our collective economic future Rather than doubling down on diversity equity and inclusion to prepare for the demands of a rapidly evolving market system we are instead seeing a rollback of the very principles that DEI efforts were designed to protect Decades of progress are at danger Even more troubling several of the the greater part influential voices in business and politics the greater part notably Elon Musk and President Trump are actively working to discredit and dismantle DEI frameworks dismissing them as unnecessary divisive or even dangerous Nothing could be further from the truth Urban theorist Richard Florida identified three key drivers of success in the modern financial system talent system and tolerance While the first two often dominate the conversation the third tolerance is the bedrock of a thriving inclusive and innovative society Yet it is the very element largest part under siege For nearly years DEI principles anchored in the Civil Rights Act of and enforced through institutions like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have served as guiding lights for expanding opportunity increasing fairness and unlocking innovation These principles opened doors for millions widened the talent pool and enriched major sectors of the market system Now that foundation is beginning to crack Under the Trump administration DEI initiatives are systematically defunded discredited and dismantled That rollback has continued often quietly under the radar Across federal agencies major corporations and academic institutions once heralded as leaders of DEI masses commitment is vanishing In its place A growing embrace of bias exclusion and cultural hostility This is not just a cultural regression It is an economic dilemma in the making We are standing at a crossroads In a global business activity where machines can perform more and more of the tasks once handled by humans success will increasingly hinge not on routine labor but on creativity collaboration cultural fluency and empathy uniquely human qualities nurtured by diverse inclusive environments Exclusively put without equity without diversity without inclusion innovation dies Cities that will thrive in the st century are those that understand this reality Cities like San Francisco San Diego Austin Seattle Boston and Denver are investing in openness and diversity They are welcoming immigrants supporting inclusive inhabitants spaces and fostering dialogue across communities They are not perfect but they are trying and in doing so they are attracting the very people ideas and industries that drive economic progress Meanwhile other cities are choosing the opposite path closing doors rejecting pluralism and embracing outdated exclusionary worldviews The consequences are already visible declining populations stagnating innovation and a brain drain as talented individuals seek more welcoming environments The urgency is only increasing with the rise of artificial intelligence As automation handles more tasks what will set cities and companies apart is their ability to attract and retain those who can think differently As Steve Jobs famously urged Think different That mindset is no longer a luxury It is an economic necessity Organizations and cities that cultivate independent inclusive thinkers regardless of race gender religion ability orientation or background will lead the way forward Those that do not will be left behind The signs of growing intolerance are deeply troubling We ve seen spikes in hate crimes against Jewish Americans Black Americans LGBTQ individuals Asian Americans immigrants and women Even in progressive cities systemic bias and institutional inequality persist These hostile environments don t just hurt individuals they repel talent and suppress creativity This is not just a moral failure It is an economic one When people don t feel safe valued or welcomed they leave And when they do they take with them their ideas their skills their businesses and their anticipated The damage isn t just immediate It can take generations to repair We are no longer competing over natural materials or industrial production We are competing for human probable For imagination resilience and ingenuity Our economic activity is increasingly built on intangible assets intellectual capital cultural vitality and the ability to adapt and evolve Cities like San Diego if they remain committed to tolerance equity and openness can lead this transformation But those that choose fear over understanding walls over bridges exclusion over inclusion will hastily fall behind and find it tough to recover The choice before us could not be clearer or more urgent Embrace tolerance and thrive Reject it and wither John Eger is professor emeritus in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University He previously served as telecommunications advisor to President Gerald R Ford legal assistant to FCC Chairman Dean Burch and Senior Vice President of CBS Worldwide Enterprises