Persisting Through Resistance: A DEI Practitioner’s Journey
Once upon a time, in the bustling city of New York, there lived a man named Samuel. Samuel was a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Practitioner who had devoted his life to creating a more equitable and inclusive world. He was a beacon of hope for many, but as the political climate began to shift, he found himself in a sea of disillusionment.
Samuel was confronted with a harsh reality. The political environment was becoming increasingly hostile towards DEI programs. Misinformation and half-baked truths were being spread, undermining the importance of DEI in solving critical business challenges, expanding markets, and enhancing profitability. Samuel was frustrated and tired, but he knew he couldn’t give up.
The political pundits had captured the attention of organizational leaders, leaving them perplexed and unsure of the investments in DEI. They began to characterize efforts as tokenism, racism, and discrimination. Samuel was disheartened, but he knew he had to continue fighting for what he believed in.
He remembered the history and the context for why such efforts were instituted and why they were still needed. He knew that innovative programs aimed at building more diverse pipelines, especially those targeted at underrepresented populations, were essential. Yet, these programs were being branded as “racist”. Samuel was at a loss. How could progress be made if these types of interventions were curtailed or eliminated?
He saw the continuing overrepresentation of white males, and in some cases white females, and a continuing lag of progress for other populations. He knew something had to change, but what could he do?
Samuel decided to take a step back and reassess his approach. He realized that he needed to focus on educating people about the importance of DEI. He started organizing workshops and seminars, inviting leaders from different organizations to learn about the benefits of DEI. He also started a campaign to debunk the myths surrounding DEI programs.
He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he was determined to make a difference. He believed in the power of dialogue and education. He knew that the only way to combat the growing resistance was to continue forging ahead, no matter how difficult it might be.
In the end, Samuel’s efforts started to pay off. More and more leaders began to understand the importance of DEI. They started to see the value in creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Samuel’s story serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it’s important to stay true to your beliefs and continue fighting for what you believe in.
The Question: Are you a Samuel? Or maybe a Samantha? Do you have the same frustrations? You are not alone. Keep pushing forward.
Effenus Henderson
