The controversy surrounding Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott began after he was labeled a ‘DEI mayor’ by an account on X, formerly known as Twitter. The post came in the wake of the fatal collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Scott, who won his post by getting 70% of the vote, has refuted the label. As far as he is concerned, DEI stands for ‘Duly Elected Incumbent.’

Mayor Scott claims that some people are weaponizing the term DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). He said these people do so because they wish to discredit successful black professionals without using overtly racist language. He had an overwhelming electoral victory, but despite that, Scott’s opponents have tried to undermine his legitimacy by suggesting his appointment was solely based on DEI criteria, a claim he strongly denies.

A post on X that tagged Scott as ‘Baltimore’s DEI mayor’ went viral after it was reposted by Elon Musk, reaching 25 million views. The post triggered a widespread backlash, forcing Musk to retract his repost. A ‘community note’ was subsequently added. It clarifies that “Brandon Scott was elected as Mayor of Baltimore in 2020 with 70% of the vote. He did not come into office through any DEI practices, appointments, etc.”

Scott's response has been quite tactical. He has taken a firm stance, choosing to reinterpret DEI to mean ‘Duly Elected Incumbent’ in his context. He has also publicly criticized the use of DEI as a covert racial slur, stating, “We know what they want to say, but they don’t have the courage to say."

DEI initiatives aimed at increasing workforce diversity, but they have faced criticism nationwide. According to some states, these programs result in reverse discrimination against more qualified candidates. Mayor Scott’s situation highlights the polarized views on DEI. Some detractors have used it as an acronym for ‘Didn’t Earn It,’ a label Scott does not believe applies to him.

The Mayor believes that the criticisms he faces over DEI stem from fear of those who oppose his views and background. He said, “The fact that I don’t believe in their untrue and wrong ideology and the fact that I am very proud of my heritage and who I am and where I come from scares them.”

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital link over the Patapsco River in Baltimore, collapsed into the river below after being struck by a large shipping vessel. This incident caused eight construction workers, who were on the bridge repairing potholes, to fall into the water.

Baltimore Mayor Scott held an emotional press briefing that saw him address the collapse as an “unthinkable tragedy.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on the victims and their families and expressed gratitude towards the first responders for their efforts during the crisis.

Investigations into the bridge collapse have revealed that the vessel, named Dali, experienced a total power failure, which led to a loss of both navigation and engine controls before the crash. The exact cause of this power outage remains unknown, but there are ongoing investigations seeking to get to the bottom of what caused the failure.

President Joe Biden has also responded to the incident. His administration has announced its intention to fully fund the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It is a commitment that highlights the national importance of the bridge.

While many want to know about the timeline for rebuilding the bridge, Mayor Scott’s current focus is on the people affected by the collapse. He stressed the importance of prioritizing the lives and well-being of the victims over discussions about infrastructure reconstruction.

The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has brought the Baltimore community together in grief and solidarity. With Mayor Scott in the lead, the city came together to support the victims and their families, demonstrating resilience and a collective determination to recover from the disaster.

While many may try to undermine him by saying he is not worthy of his position, Scott continues to prove he is. His response to the bridge incident was great, and the Baltimore community he is helping to get back on its feet will not quickly forget how he prioritized it.