Maveah Griffith – March 13, 2025
Google the term “DEI before:2025“
Please actually go do it before continuing to read this.
You’ll see that of the results received are websites detailing exactly what DEI is, and its benefits. DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives whose purpose is fostering a safe and inclusive work environment. What DEI is not, is a one-stop shop for getting hired solely for being Black, gay, or transgender.
Now in the year 2025, the current administration has worked tirelessly to avoid focusing on the economy and instead to weaponize and get rid of all DEI related initiatives. The current administration is also working to shutter the Department of Education, has defunded Columbia University in response to students protesting and threatened to withhold federal funding from schools who refuse to get rid of their “woke agendas.” Some schools have even stopped teaching history relating to slavery and oppression.
Every time I read a headline relating to any of the above, I often question why so much emphasis is placed on changing the education system in the United States. Is it in hopes that the population will be so clueless of their own autonomy that they allow a government to completely restructure their lives? Or to erase American history in hopes that a new generation will repeat the same mistakes? I don’t know the answer, although I have my suspicions.
If there’s one message I’d like to get across in this piece, it’s that I believe the thing that Americans and communities should fear the most right now is not DEI. Despite what the president wants you to believe, diversity isn’t causing the constant plane crashes. Equity isn’t causing your eggs to be $12.99 for a measly dozen. Inclusion is not the name of the gunman waiting to end your child’s life at school.
In my opinion, lack of access to proper education and jobs is more pressing than a supposed “woke mind virus.” Weaponization of ignorance and fear is a powerful force that exacerbates many of America’s challenges, fueling division, obstructing progress, and distracting from meaningful solutions. So ignore it. Silence that breaking news notification on your phone, stifle that brewing anxiety attack over the ever evolving bird flu and measles outbreak that seems to be growing by the minute, and get involved in your communities. I’ve witnessed the erosion of DEI firsthand, and in response I’ve thrown myself more into buying locally, supporting black-owned businesses, and really challenging my superiors to continue to be inclusive regardless of any pushback they might receive.
Love on people, tune out the hate. Be as diverse, full of equity, and inclusive as possible.
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