In the burgeoning landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), we're witnessing what I call the gentrification of DEI. This isn't merely about introducing new acronyms like JEDI, IDEA, EDI, or DEIBA. It's about a fundamental shift that mirrors urban gentrification, erasing authenticity under the guise of renovation and innovation. But let's be clear: this shift risks displacing the very originators of DEI work—those who have been at the forefront of this fight not just since the 1960s Civil Rights Movement against Jim Crow but going back even further to the times of legal enslavement, racial uprisings, and abolitionists.
Anywhere there has been resistance – a refusal to accept unequal treatment – there has been a fearless DEI leader.
Historically, these leaders were labeled as fugitives, but in truth, they were the pioneers of what we now recognize as DEI. Their efforts were the earliest forms of challenging systemic oppression—a continuation of the struggle that doesn’t start or end with contemporary definitions but traces back to the very roots of resistance against dehumanization.
Today’s renaming and reshaping of DEI work are reminiscent of colonial practices—finding something already existing, claiming it as new, and then repackaging it under a different name. It's a cycle that echoes the rechristening practices of the 17th century and beyond, where anything unfamiliar to a dominant culture was renamed to fit a more 'acceptable' narrative. This mirrors how DEI is being treated now: as a territory to be claimed and renamed by those who perhaps have the privilege to be heard more loudly, not necessarily those who understand it most deeply.
Therefore, I am making a stand. I will only use the acronym DEI. DEI has been an all-encompassing term that aims to push organizations, policies, and actions toward equality. For me, efforts described as DEI aim to combat the lack of representation, fairness, and choices for so many communities. So, I urge DEI learners and practitioners committed to authentic engagement to resist these new labels that may dilute or repurpose
DEI. DEI isn’t a trend—it’s a lifeline for genuine freedom—the kind that was fought for and facilitated Emancipation, the end of Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights era, and that needs to be fought for in workplaces, housing, and across all sectors today.
In our society, nothing stops someone from proclaiming a "new" definition of DEI on popular social media platforms, gaining a following even if their interpretations or motivations are misinformed. This ability to become an overnight " DEI expert" adds confusion, slows progress, and hinders genuine educational efforts in DEI. It's essential, then, that everyone engages deeply with DEI—to learn, understand, and make sense of their own experiences without being swayed by the noise.
In the words of a resident who questioned newcomers’ knowledge of the pre-existence of her gentrifying neighborhood, “Do they know what it was before.”
Before the murder of Mr. George Floyd, before the attacks on affirmative action and other human rights – before the steadfastness of civil rights leaders, DEI did exist. And do you know what it was before?
Take the time to reflect on your own understanding of DEI and how you came to have that understanding. Engage in conversations with leaders within and beyond your own community. Lastly, when your intent is to support DEI efforts, plan actionable efforts that contribute to building on or filling a gap in existing DEI initiatives.
DEI should be unrefined, unpolite, and authentic. We need to embrace the discomfort that comes with real discussions about race, privilege, and systemic inequity. DEI works take patience and consistency, too.
Imagine what it would be like if our approach to DEI was as raw as the realities we aim to confront. That's how true change happens—not through sanitized, safe conversations but through the kind of dialogue that shifts paradigms and makes observable progress possible.
As we move forward, let's not refine DEI's original mission for comfort's sake. Let’s challenge ourselves to engage with DEI in a way that honors its true roots and pushes us toward real, tangible change. Let's ensure that in our quest to make spaces inclusive, we don't exclude the very voices that brought this movement to life.
Comments