DEI is a term that seems to be everywhere these days. Be it a news channel, social media, or a recent article, the main acronym sees use nearly constantly. Chances are, if you check out the political world, you’ll come upon it in no time at all.
(Jack Poso @JackPosobiec on X/Twitter, following Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show Performance at the Super Bowl.)
President Trump even blamed the recent tragic plane crash over the Potomac River on DEI policies. When asked if diversity hiring was the cause of the crash, President Trump responded saying “It just could have been.”
But what does DEI truly mean? Is it a secret, underground movement which strives to uproot our core American values? Perhaps it’s a new issue in the workforce, taking jobs from people who deserve it and giving it to those who don’t.
Actually, it’s none of these.
DEI is an acronym for diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is not a new concept, and is seen throughout America’s history, dating back to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond with its original name, affirmative action.
Outside of its name and current framing in today’s media, the concept of DEI has always been a part of a new, inclusive America, accepting minority groups, and giving opportunities to those who normally would not get them, be it through racial bias, sexual orientation discrimination, or gender discrimination. Seems quite normal, perhaps even ideal, correct?
So why is there so much of an issue with DEI as of late?
The first signs of this shift against diversity, equity, and inclusion as a concept would show after The Supreme Court banned its use in college admissions 2023 after the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard case and the controversy surrounding it.
Several United States also prohibited its usage in employment from 2022, and more than 30 states, as of 2024, are beginning the push against it as well.
(Graphic courtesy of Nigel Chiwaya and Catherine Allen, NBC News. Data courtesy of NBC News analysis of Plural Policy Data.)
Anti-DEI sentiments began to skyrocket at the advent of President Trump’s reelection. Several businesses and workplaces have been rolling back their DEI policies. To list a few large names, Disney, Google, and General Motors.
This follows an executive order issued the day of President Trump’s reelection, titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”. Though this may seem like a rather sudden action for your first day in the Oval Office, there were various moments during President Trump’s campaign which foreshadowed this.
Project 2025 stands out as one of the most prolific cases. Despite his denial of the initiative leading up to the election, such as in his debate with Former Vice President Kamala Harris, stating he had “nothing to do with Project 2025”, the orders which currently take place in the government seem to be suspiciously close to the planned effort.
So why the outrage all of a sudden? The recent uptick in ‘anti-woke’ sentiments may be a cause of this. Especially on platforms such as X, which many have cited as a core component in President Trump’s reelection.
(Elon Musk speaking at the Republican National Convention. Credit: Carlos Buerra, REUTERS.)
The ‘war against DEI’ is only a byproduct of the rise of anti-inclusionary and conservative sentiments in recent years. Abortion bans, anti-LGBTQ+ bills, and most likely many more to come.
A term or acronym made for good with its meaning erased to be weaponized against the communities it was meant to support is not something new. Examples are woke, BLM, and CRT (Critical Race Theory). It’s not a new concept, and something that won’t stop anytime soon.
So what can we do?
The most powerful weapon against hate is community, and being informed. Information is one of the most important tools you can have, keeping yourself from falling for inflammatory material.
Supporting and giving voices to those who cannot help themselves is also important. If one falls, we all fall. Community is important.
(1963 March On Washington, Rowland Sherman. Public domain.)
