Lately, the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become impossible to ignore. The swift, and increasingly dangerous, shifts in policy by the federal government isn't lost on corporate America. Organizations are pivoting and shifting to behind-the-scenes efforts, pulling back on initiatives, or actually shutting down DEI-related programs. Across industries, positions are being eliminated, and those who champion equity are facing increasing hostility. This isn't just about corporate restructuring or political shifts, this is about the fundamental values of fairness and justice being put under siege.
For decades, advocates of equal opportunity, fairness, and representation have worked tirelessly to create spaces where success isn’t determined by privilege alone. Now, instead of progress, institutions are retreating, responding to external pressures, or worse, actively undoing the strides that have been made. It’s disheartening, and for many, it’s personal. The message being sent is that fairness and belonging are conditional, only valued when they don’t challenge existing power structures.
To me, this isn’t a sign that DEI has failed; it’s proof that it was working. The narrative of the pushback illustrates the very reason why we need DEI now more than ever. This pushback isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s happening because efforts to ensure fairness and widen opportunities have started to challenge power structures, workplace culture status quo and long-standing organizational norms in ways that are making those in the majority uncomfortable. That discomfort is revealing, and it should be a wake-up call. I am not sympathetic to this discomfort. We all know that feeling when change is happening around us that can leave us feel threatened or unsettled. It is a natural response to change, and should not be used as a justification to roll back progress. But this is more about more than “them,” it’s about all of “us.” It’s about power with not power over. When these efforts face coordinated opposition, it only reinforces how much they are still needed.
Diversity is More Than Surface-Level Differences
The current debate has framed diversity in the narrowest terms – primarily around race and gender identity – while efforts to dismantle inclusion have focused on reducing these complex issues into simplistic definitions. This oversimplification is intentional. So long as diversity is framed solely in terms of race, it shifts focus away from the broader conversation. The rhetoric of reverse discrimination shifts attention away from centuries of exclusion and toward individual grievances, distracting from the real issue: ensuring that opportunity is not dictated by identity or background. Instead of addressing systemic inequities, this narrative keeps the conversation locked in a cycle of blame, reinforcing the false idea that fairness for one group must come at the expense of another. But inclusion has never been about exclusion; it has always been about expanding the scope of opportunity so that more people can thrive. It makes it easier for critics to claim reverse discrimination, to position historically dominant groups as the ones now under threat, and to fan the flames of resentment, fear and hostility, rather than fostering understanding.
But diversity has never been just about what we can see. It is about different ways of thinking, different life experiences, different abilities, economic backgrounds, cultural perspectives, different languages, different ages, different beliefs, different traditions – you get the picture. These are the factors that shape opportunity, access, and belonging. Yes, there are systemic barriers that need to be addressed, and that work should continue. But broadening access isn't a zero-sum gain. Addressing these barriers isn't just about fairness for one group. It strengthens institutions, economies and communities. This work must be holistic, with efforts at the societal, organizational and individual level. When efforts to build a more inclusive society are attacked, it doesn’t just affect underrepresented groups—it affects everyone. We are all more than the labels that society assigns us. The dismantling of DEI efforts erodes the possibility of workplaces and institutions where people are valued for the full breadth of who they are, not just for how they fit into an outdated framework of identity. It’s about ALL of us, not just some of us.
Change is difficult, and when institutions shift toward greater inclusion, it can create feelings of uncertainty and loss for those who have benefited from past structures. These emotions are real and should not be dismissed. A more inclusive society does not mean taking something away from one group to give to another – it means widening access so that more people have opportunities to thrive. Rather than acknowledging these complexities, many opponents of DEI have leaned into the rhetoric of reverse discrimination. The narrative of the pushback on DEI positions the majority as victims, reinforcing the misleading notion that inclusion requires exclusion. In reality, inclusion seeks to break down barriers that have kept too many people on the margins, creating a future where opportunity is truly shared. Acknowledging and addressing these concerns with honesty and compassion is the only way forward, rather than allowing fear and resentment to dictate the conversation
A Call to Strengthen DEI, Not Abandon It
We can’t let this moment lead to silence or resignation. If anything, we need to reaffirm our commitment, continue advocating, and ensure that diversity and inclusion are not dismissed as temporary initiatives. The fight for equity has never been easy, but history shows us that every major leap forward has been met with resistance. Just like before, we have to keep pushing.
Because at the core of all of this, we’re not just defending policies or initiatives, we’re standing up for people. For those who have fought for a seat at the table, for those who have been told their voices don’t matter, and for the generations that come next. The attack on DEI isn’t just an attack on a set of programs, it’s an attack on fairness, justice, and the belief that opportunity should belong to all of us. And losing that would be a loss for everyone.