ESPN presenter Mina Kimes has blasted a social media user who claimed she was only in her job because of “DEI”.
Kimes, a reporter of Korean-American origin claims DEI – meaning diversity, equity and inclusion – has had its meaning twisted in recent years.
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Replying to a fan on her TikTok page who claimed she had only been hired because of her background, she said: “I get called DEI all day, every day as of the last year or so.
“And no, there was no edict from anyone at ESPN saying, ‘You know what we really need? An Asian female NFL analyst’.
Kimes has worked with ESPN since 2014 but had already established herself as a business journalist before that.
A Yale Graduate, Kimes has worked as an analyst on the broadcaster’s NFL coverage since 2020.
While Kimes insisted the use of DEI was wrong, she also admitted her initial application to ESPN was probably part of the reason she was hired.
She added: “I was not hired in that way.
“But I do think diversity, equity, and inclusion applies to my initial hire at ESPN.”
Kimes has been critical of the Trump administration for changing the meaning of the term.
She continued: “That’s what diversity, equity, and inclusion is all about.
“It’s been twisted into a slur.
“It’s been [derogatory] to say people are unqualified, when in fact it’s to find people who are actually qualified but haven’t been considered or given the opportunities.
“Yeah, I am a person who’s representative of DEI.
“And honestly, it’s a good thing.”