Navigating the Backlash: Keeping Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion Education Alive
April 2024
By Kim Harris, M.Ed.
Distinctive Voice Consulting
www.DistinctiveVoiceConsulting.com
As a child, I often heard
the saying, “One step forward, two steps back.” It encapsulated the ebb and
flow of progress—a seesaw effect that resonates even today in the realm of
diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) initiatives. Let’s delve into this complex
landscape.
The Surge of Interest
In my March 2023 blog
post, I highlighted the surge of interest in DEI. Suddenly, organizations were
eager to engage in conversations about diversity, dismantle biases, and create
more inclusive workplaces. As someone who founded a DEI business back in 2014,
I witnessed firsthand the transformation. But then came 2020—a year of dual crises:
the global pandemic and a racial awakening in the United States.
The Swift Backlash
The newfound interest in
DEI in 2020 was swiftly met with resistance. Some Americans recoiled from
shining a spotlight on societal inequities rooted in systemic racism. These
inequities manifested across various domains: income, homeownership, education,
access to healthcare, and even within the criminal justice system. Black and
Brown communities faced disproportionate challenges, and the data from studies
at institutions like the U.C. Berkeley Othering & Belonging Institute
underscored these disparities in their reporting here.
The Battle for
Acknowledgment
As the backlash
intensified, federal and state legislatures entered the fray. Their aim? To ban
DEI programs and training—precisely the kind of work undertaken by
organizations like Distinctive Voice Consulting. But why this pushback? The
answer lies in the heart of DEI’s mission: to educate people to correct
inequities within institutions and society. We cannot address societal
disparities without first acknowledging their existence.
The Executive Order and
Critical Race Theory
At the federal level, the former
Trump Administration issued an “Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex
Stereotyping” in 2020. This directive curtailed and defunded training on
diversity, equity, and inclusivity within federal agencies. Even critical race
theory—an analytical framework that examines systemic racism—became a
contentious topic. The order aimed to silence these conversations, but it also
ignited debates about the very essence of DEI. Fortunately, the current Biden
Administration rescinded the Order.
Currently, individual
states are jumping into the fray by introducing anti-DEI bills. To date,
Republican law makers have introduced or passed more than 100 bills to regulate
DEI initiatives. Here is a map showing the states that have enacted, passed and
introduced anti-DEI bills here. Not
only are some states banning DEI education, some college universities are
following suit. Most recently, in March of 2024, the University of Florida
announced the elimination of its chief diversity office position and eliminated
all associated jobs because of a law passed by Governor Ron DeSantis. And more
college campuses are following suit.
Moving Forward
At Distinctive Voice
Consulting, I continue to champion these conversations with workshops and
discussions about systemic inequality. I do so in a non-shaming, educational,
and gracious way that encourages everyone to be advocates for equity and
inclusivity. My latest workshop, “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Unpacking
Systems and Fostering Understanding,” is a great introductory workshop for
anyone who wishes to initiate or continue their equity, diversity, and
inclusivity learning journey. More information on this workshop can be found on
the DVC website here: https://www.distinctivevoiceconsulting.com/workshops
Remember, DEI isn’t just a
buzzword—it’s a catalyst for meaningful change. Let’s continue the dialogue,
even when faced with headwinds. To learn more about Distinctive Voice
Consulting’s training and consulting visit: www.DistinctiveVoiceConsulting.com
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