The Perversion of DEI: How Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Became a Scapegoat

For years, the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have been at the forefront of efforts to create fairer workplaces, schools, and communities. DEI was never about exclusion or favoritism; it was about correcting long-standing disparities that have prevented marginalized groups from accessing the same opportunities as others. Yet, in recent years, DEI has been hijacked, distorted, and weaponized by those who seek to uphold the status quo. The pushback against DEI is not about fairness or merit—it is a direct reaction to a perceived threat against white dominance in professional and academic spaces. To understand how we arrived at this moment, we must examine the historical and cultural forces that have paved the way for this perversion.

How We Got Here: The Convergence of Influences

The battle over DEI did not emerge in a vacuum. It is the result of a long-standing convergence of influences from higher education, shifting societal norms, and corporate America’s evolving role in addressing inequality. Historically, progress toward equity has been met with resistance, particularly when marginalized groups gain visibility and power. This pattern has repeated itself throughout history, from the Civil Rights Movement to Affirmative Action to today’s DEI initiatives. The backlash against DEI is simply the latest iteration of this ongoing struggle.

The Rise and Misrepresentation of Critical Race Theory (CRT)

What It Is: Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an academic framework that originated in legal studies to examine how racism is embedded in laws and institutions. It provides a lens to understand systemic inequities and how they persist despite civil rights advancements.

What It Isn’t: In conservative circles, CRT has been taken out of context and weaponized as a boogeyman. Right-wing media and politicians have painted it as a radical ideology that indoctrinates students, despite the fact that CRT is primarily taught at the graduate level. This distortion is a deliberate attempt to suppress discussions about systemic racism and prevent meaningful change.

The Weaponization of "Woke"

What It Is: The term “woke” originated in Black American culture as a call for awareness and vigilance against racial and social injustices. It is a term rooted in empowerment and collective progress.

What It Isn’t: Conservatives and insecure white individuals have co-opted the term, turning it into an insult meant to discredit any effort toward social justice. Ironically, many of those who criticize “wokeness” cannot even define it. Their opposition is often rooted in fear—fear of movements like Black Lives Matter, which challenge white hegemony. This is not new; we saw similar backlash in the 1960s against slogans like “Black is Beautiful,” which threatened dominant cultural narratives.

Affirmative Action: A Misunderstood Policy

What It Is: Affirmative Action was implemented to counteract systemic discrimination and increase opportunities for historically excluded groups. However, its biggest beneficiaries were not Black people—it was white women. When forced to diversify their hiring, white men often chose the “other” demographic they felt most comfortable with: white women.

What It Isn’t: Affirmative Action has long been falsely portrayed as an unfair advantage for Black people. A prime example of hypocrisy is Clarence Thomas, who benefited from Affirmative Action but later worked to dismantle it, denying others the same opportunities he had.

The Supreme Court Case to Overturn It: Conservative legal challenges, backed by Asian-American plaintiffs, argued that Black students were unfairly prioritized in admissions. However, after Affirmative Action was overturned, Asian enrollment did not significantly increase, revealing that the real issue was never about fairness but about limiting Black access to higher education.

The Distortion of DEI

What It Is: DEI initiatives aim to promote inclusive workplaces and institutions, ensuring that people from all backgrounds have access to opportunities.

How It’s Been Redefined: Conservative critics have reframed DEI as a racist policy that implies Black professionals are unqualified. This narrative undermines the accomplishments of Black individuals, perpetuating the idea that they are only in their positions because of race rather than merit.

The Double Standard in DEI Scrutiny:

• Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett struggled to name the Bill of Rights in her confirmation hearing, yet her qualifications were never seriously questioned.

• In contrast, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, one of the most qualified Supreme Court justices in history, was labeled a “DEI hire” simply because President Biden was intentional about nominating a Black woman.

• DEI hires are constantly under a microscope, often held to higher standards than their white counterparts. Many Black professionals enter roles overqualified, yet their competence is still doubted.

A Personal Example: When I was hired for a role, one of the first questions I received on my first day was, “Whose nephew are you?” The implication was clear: I couldn’t have been hired based on my own merits. This is the reality many Black professionals face.

The Common Thread: Attacking the "Other"

At its core, the resistance to DEI, CRT, Affirmative Action, and “woke” culture is about preserving a racial hierarchy that favors white men. The same playbook has been used throughout American history:

• The demonization of Black activism

• The perpetuation of false narratives that paint Black people as lazy, dependent on handouts, or unqualified

• The consistent effort to shift blame onto Black communities for systemic issues

Conclusion

The perversion of DEI is not about protecting fairness or meritocracy. It is a strategic, well-funded effort to maintain the status quo by sowing division and doubt about the qualifications of marginalized groups. The backlash against DEI is not new; it is part of a long history of resistance to racial progress.

The question we must ask ourselves is: Who benefits from dismantling DEI? The answer is clear—those who have always held power and want to ensure they continue to do so. If we are to move forward, we must reject these distortions, call out hypocrisy, and continue fighting for true equity and inclusion.