I am struck by all manner of people hosting conferences, and events, promoting inclusion to largely people, who are readily on board with their inclusive beliefs. The converted preaching to the converted in the home of the converted, and then using the media to blast their credentials.

In the spring of 1992, when I lived in Denver, John Elway, the legendary Broncos quarterback and his then wife, Janet, hosted their annual celebrity ski race in Copper Mountain. Despite the Broncos, Hollywood celebrities and sports stars, it was a very understated affair. One unusual sight was that of Vance Johnson, an African-American and hugely talented Broncos wide receiver, dashing around the mountain on skis. In those days, the sight of bears was more common than non-white skiers.

We bumped into each other on a chair lift, no one mentioned his race but he did. He simply said, “this is such a cool sport for a black athlete, I just do my stuff and let everyone appreciate it.” That his life took a downward spiral shortly, thereafter with addiction, abuse and financial ruin, couldn’t hide the point that if you have talent, a willingness to not be seen as a “victim”, and to feel comfortable in an unusual setting, there really are no boundaries to your public acceptance.

Vance’s Story, trumps all the virtue-signalling nonsense.