When the Snowman Melts: Lessons for the Hopeful DEI Change Agent

In a snow-covered field, a snowman stands as a symbol of the growing resistance to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Its frozen form reflects the current climate: cold, rigid, and unwelcoming to change. The icy winds of skepticism blow, freezing progress and hardening hearts. Yet, this image is not without hope. For even the sturdiest snowman, built with care and determination, cannot withstand the warmth of the sun. In this metaphor lies a powerful truth for those striving to create a more inclusive world: with persistent care and empathy, even the most intransigent souls can soften and transform.

The Construction of the Snowman

The snowman did not appear overnight. It was carefully built, layer by layer, from the fears and misunderstandings that fuel resistance to DEI. Fear of change forms its base — an immovable foundation of uncertainty and a longing for the status quo. Misinformation about the goals of DEI creates its midsection, a bulging mass of myths that suggest inclusion comes at the expense of others. Finally, a top hat of political rhetoric crowns the snowman, solidifying its stance as a symbol of division rather than unity.

This construction, while seemingly sturdy, is inherently fragile. Like snow, it depends on a cold climate to survive. The…