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The Stupidity War: How Fear, Lies, and Ignorance Are Destroying DEI — and Common Sense

6 min readMar 8, 2025

“The real danger isn’t just racism, sexism, or exclusion — it’s the stupidity that fuels them. And we have tolerated it for far too long.” — Effenus Henderson

History is littered with moments when progress collided with resistance — not because the opposition had a strong argument, but because fear, ignorance, and stupidity held more power than logic. The fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in America is no different. This is not an intellectual debate. It is an emotional battlefield where opponents of DEI rely on knee-jerk reactions, conspiracy theories, and flat-out nonsense to maintain power.

Let’s be clear: Anti-DEI rhetoric is not rooted in fact. It is rooted in resentment, victimhood, and the desperate need to preserve the illusion of superiority. And yet, this stupidity spreads like wildfire — because stupidity, when weaponized, is one of the most dangerous forces in history.

The Triumph of Emotion Over Reason

The anti-DEI movement thrives on emotional manipulation, not evidence. Its entire foundation is built on manufactured outrage:

  • “DEI hires are unqualified people!” Really? Then why do diverse teams consistently outperform homogenous ones in business…

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Effenus Henderson
Effenus Henderson

Written by Effenus Henderson

President and CEO of HenderWorks Consulting and Co-Founder of the Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion. Convener, ISO Working Group, DEI

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