F-ing with DEI

A few choice words

F-ing with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in higher ed and beyond is not new and did not happen overnight. Those in opposition to DEI, meaning the white supremacist and otherwise bigoted, have been trying to discredit our work since day one. Let’s talk honestly about it.

The work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is rooted in abolitionist, suffragist, and First Nations struggles, among others. DEI is just the most recent iteration of “the work” or “the struggle” to end discrimination, hate, and oppression.

I recall many a time when the latest moniker of our work had been hijacked, engaging with colleagues about what should be the next name we use for our profession. I have cared less and less over the years about what we call our work, as long as we maintain our goals. In fact, the general goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice or belonging have become the name for the past several years. The thinking was, if we just use the goals as our name, who could possibly be opposed to equity or fight against being inclusive. Well, now we know.

The overt bigots have always been around. What some have not realized is that too many of our “leaders” share their biased views even if they are more adept at hiding it. These politically savvy haters have been F-ing with DEI all along. Even as DEI gained traction, as we have seen the rise of the executive diversity officer (EDO), white supremacist and otherwise bigoted folks in leadership roles have actively undermined the work and sabotaged the position.

The sabotage of the EDO has often begun with hiring someone who is unprepared for the role, understanding that they may be more easily manipulated and likely ineffectual, or putting someone in the role that is underprepared - just not ready yet. Of course, there have also been some willing to do nothing in the EDO role in order to collect a bigger paycheck. All strategic, meant to use the EDO role to hide ill intentions. The EDO in these scenarios were ready scapegoats when DEI goals were not met and examples used to manipulate the public perception of what DEI work actually is.

Even when well-prepared folks have taken on the EDO role, more often than not, they have faced a wide array of resistance. Not only that, but they have also been undermined by unfunded DEI plans, systemic obstacles, and a lack of “leadership” support. For example, as an EDO works with colleagues to shepherd the shiny new DEI plan, the President and other Cabinet colleagues choose not to hold anyone accountable for implementation of the plan’s action items. This effectively makes the DEI plan a list of suggestions, undermining the plan, the EDO, and the work to make diversity, equity, and inclusion a reality.

Still, we have continued to work toward developing equitable systems, inclusive spaces, and to demonstrate the benefits of diversity for all of us. And, we have made progress in admissions, hiring and promotion, graduation rates, and factual and inclusive curricular development.

While we recognize that we still have a long way to go, it became evident that even incremental progress was too much for the Bigot in Chief and his minions. So much so that the F-ing with DEI is now openly being led from the White House, Congress, and Supreme Court. This has given cover to those higher ed and other “leaders” who never actually supported DEI to go ahead and defund, diminish, or just drop it.

Here's the thing, we’re not going anywhere. The world is a diverse place, with people of color making up the vast majority, and the United States is becoming more diverse every day. Deportations of people of color, musings about colonizing Canada or Greenland, and importing white South Africans will not make America white again.

The white majority’s days are numbered in the US and the world is standing up against the bigots and oligarchs. The collective indigenous peoples of the world who have survived the atrocities of colonization continue to make progress toward fully freeing themselves from their oppressors. African nations from South Africa to Berkina Faso, for example, are pushing back against those who exploit them for resources. Palestinians are finding allies worldwide. Not to mention the sleeping giant, China, which is reminding all of us of their strength.

White supremacy will be overcome, and the losers who try to hold on to it will see their companies, universities, nations, and dreams of superiority based on race, class, gender or any other irrelevancy die. It is, as they say, not a matter of if, just when.

So, if you think that those of us who value cultural diversity, equity, inclusion and justice are going to stop doing the work, you got me and all of my DEI colleagues F-ed up. Our abolitionist spirit cannot be broken. F around and you will absolutely find out.