Racism and inequality, in their many manifestations, absolutely exist, and we should be working to fix them. However, relying solely on centralized DEI offices hasn't been very effective, especially if they cultivate a policing atmosphere. The answer lies in decentralizing and crowdsourcing DEI efforts.
DEI professionals, along with everyone else, should commit to continuous learning. Too many of us have fallen into a rigid binary of right versus wrong, stifling curiosity and making it difficult to explore middle grounds. We need to commit to engaging with diverse ideas — not as a compromise of our values but as a path to better solutions.
DEI officers don't need to wield power to be effective. The real influence of DEI arises not from the power we hold but from the progress we drive.
The current state of DEI is undoubtedly flawed and has been exploited. Yet those advocating for DEI's abolition are in no better moral position. The rigid belief that "my group is right and dissenters are biased" is closed-minded, no matter what side it comes from. DEI may have lost its way, but if we work together, we can find our way back. What DEI needs is a rebirth, not a death sentence.
Attorney. Chief Diversity Officer. Author of Humanity at Work (#1 Amazon Bestseller). Member of Heterodox Academy and Advisory Board of Class Action. Member of Chief. Speaker on civic discourse, viewpoint diversity, and the future of inclusion. Follow on X →
Views expressed are her own and do not represent any employer or institution.