Publisher note: The letter-to-the-editor below examines the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission and its alignment with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. Unlike unvetted statements and information found on Facebook and other social media platforms, I have found that the information on which the writer has based her letter is readily and publicly available at www.fayettevillenc.gov and www.CumberlandcountyNC.gov. Details about the FCHRC’s mission, meeting minutes, and policy discussions are available on the official website of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission. https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/City-Departments/Human-Relations. Calista Cuevas is a Fayetteville resident, mother of two, and co-founder of the local Moms for Liberty organization. Thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly newspaper.
— Bill Bowman, Publisher

For generations, Americans have shared a core belief: Hard work, not identity, should determine success. The idea that all men are created equal—not divided by race, gender, or background—has shaped the nation. This principle has driven generations to work hard, succeed, and build a merit-based society. However, the push for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion undermines this longstanding American principle—not about fairness or opportunity—but government-driven social engineering that replaces merit with identity politics. This ideology, championed by local progressive activists, is being embedded into our Fayetteville/Cumberland County government, including our school system.
The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission is one such entity. While it presents itself as a neutral force promoting “equity and inclusion,” its policies and agenda prioritize group identity over individual ability and effort.
This is not just a partisan conservative viewpoint or issue. It is an American issue. Regardless of political affiliation (or no affiliation), every hardworking citizen should reject the idea that identity matters more than merit.
Over the years, the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission has quietly embedded itself in local governance, policymaking, and school influence.
In 2023 and 2024, the FCHRC attempted to establish a Student-Human Relations Commission—a DEI-based program inside Cumberland County schools. The commission contacted Superintendent Dr. Connolly to push this agenda. While this initiative was unsuccessful, the mere fact that it was attempted—without public input—should concern every citizen.
This aligns with a more significant national trend. Recognizing the growing threat of radical ideology in education, the President recently signed the executive order “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.” This order blocks federal funding for schools that teach DEI, critical race theory, and gender ideology—policies that undermine the merit-based system upon which this nation was built. It also reinstates the 1776 Commission, ensuring that patriotic education and parental rights are protected in schools.
Despite the national efforts to eradicate DEI infiltration, the FCHRC and similar commissions continue working behind the scenes to reshape policies under the banner of “equity.”
When implementing DEI policies, hiring, admissions, qualifications, and promotions cease to be objective. Instead, decisions are made based on race, gender, or other identity-based characteristics—factors that have nothing to do with a person’s ability to perform the assigned task.
For example, if two candidates were applying for a job, it should not matter the sex, race, sexual preference, or any other irrelevant characteristic an applicant has. The only things that should matter are their skills, experience, education, and overall ability to succeed in the role. An actual merit-based society selects candidates based on qualifications—not personal characteristics. And once a candidate is chosen, their race, gender, or background should be irrelevant.
This is the fundamental difference between DEI and a meritocracy, which ensures that all individuals—regardless of background have an equal chance to compete, succeed, and celebrate their achievements. DEI advocates feel that priority should be given to certain identity groups, regardless of ability.
This is why all citizens, regardless of political affiliation (or no affiliation) should reject DEI: DEI removes fairness and replaces it with forced social engineering.
Anyone serving actively on a public board, commission, or committee should be of the highest integrity to ensure honest and objective points of view. Serving in this capacity only matters if individuals uphold their values and keep their constituents and the general public informed about the policies discussed and formulated behind closed doors. Someone seated on any local board who fails to stand up and speak up for their principles compromises their values, or practices a “go along-to-get along” approach when addressing significant issues. These people should not be in a leadership position.
Even more egregious is when someone purposely contradicts their values for personal gain or to enhance their standing and stature in the community. This challenges the faith and trust that citizens have in their governing agencies. Unfortunately, this appears to be precisely what happened when several recent members of the FCHRC board professed conservative values, then surrendered those values by failing to stand firm, exposing progressive and radical overreach, and failing to use their position to inform the public of the DEI ideological movement.
As voters, we should have serious questions about how these board members manage their roles on essential boards and committees while actively serving and advocating for more realistic ideals and conservative values. Values that do not include support of DEI principles. Transparency and accountability should be non-negotiable in leadership.
Fayetteville and Cumberland County do not exist in a vacuum. Our local leadership needs to aggressively implement idealogy that enhances Fayetteville and Cumberland County and our quality of life while returning trust in our government and leadership. Fayetteville needs to lead this movement, not resist it.

Editor's Note: The views expressed in this article are those of Calista Cuevos and do not reflect the views of all of the staff at Up & Coming Weekly. Up & Coming Weekly encourages editorials from the community, and will print letters to the editor as long as they are not submitted anonymously.