Recently, Kid Rock headlined an event during the Super Bowl that got only five million viewers and had the audacity to refer to Jay-Z as a “DEI hire.” As you may know, Jay-Z has collaborated with the NFL for several years, working to diversify halftime performers and resulting in high viewership ratings.
Also, for the record, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show wasn’t a “DEI hire” either, as it drew an estimated 128 million viewers, making it the second most-watched performance in history.
Moreover, the notion of a DEI hire in higher education or any industry is unfounded and discriminatory, as people of color offer valuable perspectives and contributions to their fields. Figures like Vice President Harris and Justice Jackson are highly qualified and fully deserving of their roles.
Former ESPN host Jemele Hill also criticized Kid Rock’s remarks on social media.
