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 Fortunately, the current Biden Administration rescinded the Order.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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