DEI and the Lies Branded by Those Who Are Dead Wrong About Its Value.

DEI and the Lies Branded by Those Who Are Dead Wrong About Its Value.

(ThyBlackMan.com) Having obtained a Certificate of Advanced Study in Organizational Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), via Rice University on Coursera,?June 2022 this writers  journey through the program was much more than just that of an academic pursuit; it was an expedition of self-discovery that broadened my understanding of how truly inclusive leadership can make organizations stronger, fuel?innovation and create pathways for individuals from all walks of life. So, every time I hear people like President Donald Trump undermining DEI initiatives, a little part of me takes it on the chin.

DEI programs were put in place to confront systemic inequities, push for fairness and guarantee that everyone — no?matter race, gender or background — can take advantage of the same opportunities. But over the past few years these things have been attacked, dismissed as divisive or unnecessary. President Trump the individual and then Trump’s rhetoric specifically has cultivated misperceptions about DEI that cast the movement as divisive instead of unifying. Having taught History/Economics at the collegiate level, my life has now touched both feet in DEI, and I can assure you,?nothing could be further from the truth.

Why DEI Matters

As a freelance journalist my research repeatedly demonstrates that diverse teams yield superior results, companies with inclusive cultures are more innovative and equitable policies nurture more robust communities. Organizations that prioritize DEI build a culture that?makes employees feel valued, which helps them be more productive and engaged.

From my education at Rice University, where I?understand how leadership in DEI much more than a checkbox is, it’s about implementing systems for long-term success. Through case studies, data-driven strategies, and real-world applications, I saw how DEI initiatives forge new paths and create more just and equitable workplaces. These programs?don’t create favoritism or exclusion; they seek to level the playing field so that talent and diligence, not systemic inequities, determine who succeeds.

The Poli/Religious Weaponization of the Backlash Against DEI

The new wave of anti-DEI rhetoric is not just?disappointing — it’s dangerous. DEI has frequently been framed as a polarizing force, a lot?of it because of politics, the recent  Yahoo News piece explains. DEI programs do not discriminate — they seek to address inequities?that historically disadvantaged specific groups.

Trump?and his allies who push anti-DEI agendas claim these kinds of programs drive division. What they don’t understand, though, is that these inequities have long existed — DEI merely makes them visible and aims to?address them. Pretending these inequities?don’t exist doesn’t make them go away; it only allows them to fester unexamined. About this time last week, Donald Trump’s new administration finally summoned the White House press corps to the Brady Briefing Room. It was classic Trump.

For close to an hour it seemed, the youngest White House press secretary in history, Karoline Leavitt, disparaged the traditional legacy media, criticized the Biden administration and personally insulted the former president to no end. At one point she said that Joe Biden probably hadn’t taken presidential action on the price of eggs because he was “upstairs in the residence sleeping.” What a cheap shot?

If you recall from Sunday school classes; Leavitt bore false witness against her neighbor while wearing a cross around her neck declaring her Christian principles. Leavitt also said she was committed to telling the truth while speaking on behalf of President Donald Trump. So, if he lies, as he does so religiously, will she do likewise? Fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me. I guess she thinks she can have her cake and eat it too with the unsuspecting American public. Sound familiar?

The Cost of Dismantling DEI

A recent example is the U.S. Air Force’s removal of the Tuskegee Airmen from its curriculum following Trump’s anti-DEI order, an?indication of how this backlash is erasing significant aspects of American history from our history books. But this action, as reported by The Washington Informer, fails to?consider the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Black aviators who paved the way for future generations. The excising of DEI from institutions targets more than policies; it seeks to erase the contributions of marginalized communities from the narrative of our nation.

Barring DEI?initiatives send a clear message that the struggles of we the people with underrepresented identities are irrelevant, that we do not belong. It robs future leaders of the opportunity?to learn from the past and envision a more inclusive future.

DEI and Economic Growth: Paving a Way?to a More United Tomorrow

Not just for social justice but for economic growth and innovation? Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are essential. Research shows that companies with diverse workforces are more profitable, more creative and better decision-makers. When people from various backgrounds collaborate, they bring in their diverse viewpoints that contribute to problem-solving, and innovating solutions. Companies that genuinely practice DEI are not only doing the right thing from a moral perspective — but they’re also strategizing a business decision that bolsters their bottom line. Don’t believe it? Ask Costco!

Finish story here; DEI and the Lies Branded by Those Who Are Dead Wrong About Its Value.