The Real Danger of the Anti-DEI Movement

Fighters for Freedom, William H. Johnson. Via AmericanArt

Maybe the Anti-DEI Movement Is Our Savior?

As a career educator with over 15 years in K-12 and higher education, I can't help but celebrate the rollbacks of disingenuous DEI initiatives that have plagued this country since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For too long, higher education's obsession with admitting us based on our race has stifled our true excellence. Just think about the millions of dollars white people will save now that they won’t have to finance buildings or make large donations just to get their children into schools they wouldn’t have qualified for otherwise. It’s refreshing to finally be recognized for our collective merit and have the opportunity to gain admission to the country’s top Ivy League institutions because we deserve it. Nothing is standing in our way now!

We applaud the Trump administration for spearheading the effort to eradicate any reference to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in every aspect of our lives. It’s not like DEI made this country more accessible; we are the greatest nation on Earth, built on the backs of the founding fathers. America has always been great—no accommodations or modifications necessary. Besides, didn’t we all agree that when Obama took office, it cured 400 years of alleged systemic racism and brutality? He was the golden ticket to our anointing as a post-racial society, right? Now, our newest savior, Trump, is doing the final legwork to pull us out of our obsession with wokeness. This is the moment we've all been waiting for in this country, and it only took a felonious, twice-impeached con man to make us see the error of our ways.

As a Black woman, this is an especially thrilling time. Gone are the days of crossing our fingers and toes, hoping to be chosen over a mediocre white man. A true meritocracy is upon us! With the elimination of racial quotas in the job market, I can almost guarantee that, with only our resumes considered, we will get hired for any job we apply for. We all know that we belong to the most educated demographic in the country, and numerous studies show that Black women are often overqualified compared to our white counterparts, yet are the least promoted. But no worries, because it’s all about qualifications and merit now.

I sincerely hope Trump mandates the removal of names from applications altogether. Who wants to be hired—or not—based on a racially ambiguous name or an easily identifiable "Black name"? Not us! I propose that all job applications use a unique employee code, like an employment social security number. That would ensure absolute fairness by eliminating bias against white applicants. Just imagine the equitable workforce that would be created if resumes were the sole measure of qualifications! The glass ceiling would shatter, allowing everyone to secure the jobs they truly deserve. Picture white people working in roles that truly reflect their qualifications, instead of perpetuating the cycle of nepotism and microaggressions that disguise their inferiority complexes.

It must be exhausting to maintain the façade of competence around the clock, especially given how much of American history has been built on denying the contributions of Black people and our ancestors who laid the groundwork for this great country.

And let’s not forget the college admissions scandal a few years back—those poor parents shelling out millions to cheat on SATs. Frankly, I hope Trump considers giving them reparations; surely they could have used that money for nicer Teslas!

“If Only These Anti-DEI Rollbacks Had Come Sooner!”

Although irony makes us laugh at the absurdity of reality and sometimes serves as an antidote to the wounds of cruelty, the current backlash against DEI must not be underestimated. It reveals a deliberate manipulation of language and points to an increasingly harsh reality for all. 

The narrative suggesting that Black people need favors, quotas, and lower standards to prove their excellence affects real people and is fundamentally false. Above all, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion go far beyond race. Every day, as the Trump administration rolls back a DEI policy, it endangers millions of people. Since they have zero understanding of what DEI encompasses and what these policies do for everyday individuals, they are axing vital programs that support the most vulnerable communities—communities they claim to care about, like veterans. Many of these veterans voted for this administration, not realizing they were voting against their own best interests. Without DEI, veterans will struggle even more to access the resources they need to care for themselves and their families. But hey, racism, sexism, and xenophobia be damned, right?

How DEI Affects You

Many misunderstand DEI as Black and Brown people gaining advantages over more qualified white individuals, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. DEI policies simply work to expand the talent pool to include candidates who have historically been underrepresented in the workforce, despite being just as, if not more, qualified than their white counterparts. DEI is about creating opportunities for people of color, women, and individuals with disabilities to contribute meaningfully in every aspect of society. You can get rid of the policies, but you can’t get rid of diversity.

DEI is why you have paid parental leave (despite how minimal it may be). DEI is why recruitment efforts reach out to veterans to assist them with civilian employment. DEI allows for accommodations and modifications to curricula and resources for children with special needs. Oh, your child needs specialized services because they have a severe disability? Your child's school can’t afford it? Without inclusion policies, schools won’t be liable to provide those services, and your child will go without critical support, which could affect their quality of life. Living in a rural area plagued by poverty and food insecurity? Well, say goodbye to federally funded grants that support food deserts or programs that provide breakfast and lunch to underserved children—that's equity! DEI ensures that public spaces are accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs. DEI is why you can turn on captions when you watch your favorite Netflix series.

DEI in the Workforce

As disheartening as it is to see so many big businesses pushing back against DEI initiatives, let’s be honest: their initial embrace was performative, so their cowardly exit should come as no surprise. We know the studies; they all say the same thing: diversity, equity, and inclusion are good for business, performance metrics, and innovation. The more diverse the workforce, the more creativity and problem-solving thrive. It expands the brilliance in the room by reflecting the larger society, regardless of the industry—finance, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and engineering; every facet of our society demands diverse voices. Without DEI policies in place, the opportunities to reach and hire from marginalized communities are limited, leading to mediocrity or groupthink. 

The idea that Black and Brown individuals are unqualified for their positions is a long-standing, harmful myth, one that gained renewed traction under the Trump administration. Just recently, some old clips of Tucker Carlson from Fox News resurfaced, in which he boldly claimed that if a Black woman were a surgeon, he would assume she had gone through easier qualifications. It’s an astonishing claim that is as dangerous in rhetoric as it is ignorant. The truth is, we all know that Black and Brown individuals often have to work ten times harder to earn the recognition and opportunities we deserve. It’s outrageous to even entertain such nonsense.

In Conclusion

In a world where DEI initiatives are being rolled back and dismissed as unnecessary, we must remember their true value. These policies aren’t just about promoting diversity for diversity's sake; they’re about recognizing the richness that varied perspectives bring to our society. They’re about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has a seat at the table and a voice that is heard. The anti-DEI movement might think it’s achieving some sort of victory, but in reality, they’re only setting us all back, wearing blinders to the consequences of their actions.