In last night's State of the Union address, Donald Trump claimed: "We ended DEI in America." In an article in today's TIME, Kenji Yoshino and I argue that this claim is false (shocking, I know). It's false in the obvious sense that there are still many professionals across the public and private sectors working on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues—whether under the label DEI or otherwise. But our article focuses on a deeper sense in which it's false, drawing from our new book HOW EQUALITY WINS. Yes, the current administration has dealt a severe blow to this field, causing many institutions to discard programs, slash budgets, and engage in "diversity hushing." Yet even if the acronym DEI disappears, the value of equality that undergirds it is still stubbornly and inspiringly alive. As we write: "Over the centuries, advocates of equality have fought the scourges of slavery, segregation, voter suppression, internment, legalized domestic violence, sexual harassment, rampant workplace discrimination, and cycles of political and vigilante violence. Through it all, the value of equality endured. Focusing too narrowly on the recent defeats relating to DEI obscures that panorama. Given that the equality ideal has survived the most horrific assaults, it seems wildly unlikely that this is the moment the project shudders to a halt." Read the full argument at the link below. The book from which the article is excerpted is now available to order: https://lnkd.in/gX8mfCdi https://lnkd.in/g2YdNm-W
“Subbornly and inspiringly alive” was most resonant for me. We aren’t going by anywhere! Like a tree planted by the rivers of the water, I shall not be moved.
I say let him take the victory lap. If he thinks he's done, he'll move on to other issues and get off our backs. We all know that companies backpedaling were never really committed anyway. Keeping DEI out of the news will help well intentioned leaders feel more confident about doing the right thing, while we get to work on smarter ways to hold the performative ones accountable.
The work I led training federal civil servants on advancing equity in government plans and policies during the Biden administration actually showcased how much equity and inclusion strategy was vital to meeting civil rights goals in all areas of American life - transportation, environmental justice, emergency management justice, etc…This administration gas lights with threats that “DEI doesn’t work” to pursue its exclusionary agenda - but the federal service corp that led equity work know better.
Julie Kratz
3d
That is such a weird claim for a leader to make in a State of the Union designed to unify people. I agree, we're just getting started.
Without thinking about a long list of reasons, or rebuttals to existing posts, how about these simple 3 items: 1. It’s good for ROI. (Numbers support this.) 2. It’s the right thing to do! (Second only because organizations follow numbers more than what’s right.) 3. People like supporting businesses that do the right thing. (See no. 1.)
I didn’t even know there was a State of The Union address this week. I’m hearing their RATINGS WERE VERY LOW! SAD! #ZombieDEI 🧟♂️
Thank you so much for this excellent post and article. I really needed this 🙏🏻
💡I highlighted that quote in your book just yesterday David Glasgow.
All Scout leaders received a communication yesterday from Scouting America that effective now, they are no longer allowed to offer the Citizenship in Society merit badge. It’s an Eagle required badge with a focus on being an upstander, having empathy, inclusion of all scouts, etc. Currently an Eagle Scout, if they join the military, starts two ranks higher than their peers. The administration threatened to cut those ties if they continue to offer the badge, so no more DEI in scouting. They don’t want their soldiers being ‘woke’ I guess.