The War on DEI: How Authoritarians and Big Tech Are Silencing Diversity and Dismantling Democracy

“The dismantling of DEI is not just an attack on diversity — it’s an assault on democracy itself. By silencing marginalized voices and eroding equity efforts, they’re paving the way for a corporate-state autocracy that serves the few at the expense of the many.” — Effenus Henderson

Introduction: The Erosion of American Democracy in Real-Time

At the core of American democracy is the idea that government is accountable to the people. However, as the country grows more diverse and politically engaged, a counterforce — comprising right-wing ideologues, tech oligarchs, and corporate financiers — seeks to consolidate power into the hands of a privileged few. This movement is not just about shifting political control; it is about fundamentally redesigning governance to serve elite interests while diminishing democratic oversight.

What emerges from this effort is a corporate-state hybrid, where private-sector billionaires shape government institutions, regulatory agencies are dismantled, and executive power is centralized into an authoritarian model. This restructuring is accelerating through initiatives like the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, the influence of Curtis Yarvin’s monarchist…