![]() ![]() "I run a company," he started, "and one of our employees is a new mother. Whatever it is, we fix it, with the goal of building a workplace free from discrimination, that works for everybody." Other times, it's biased policies, the lack of process, or accidental exclusion. Sometimes, it's intentional and overt racism, for example. "DEI is about finding out and fixing those root causes of inequality and potential discrimination. "And if 4% are still here after six months, but 0% make it to management positions, there's likely a problem there, right?" A final nod. "And if 8% of our employees are Black, but only 4% make it past six months, there's likely a problem there, right?" Another nod. "But if 14% of our applicants are Black, and only 8% are actually getting through the door, there's likely a problem there, right?" He nodded. "That's a quota, yes," I continued, "and illegal." "That's a quota-" he interjected quickly. That fact alone doesn't mean we can simply hire Black people until our organization is 14% Black-" "Think of it this way: roughly 14% of the US population is Black. "DEI is about ending discrimination, and building workplaces that work for everybody," I said first. "In your own words, what is DEI trying to do?" "Can I ask you some questions?" he asked. He put the article down, faced me, and seemed to consider his thoughts for a moment. And it's in the crosshairs right now, as you can see from articles like these." "Because #diversity, #equity, and #inclusion is my industry. "I think it makes some good points," he said, and looked at me curiously. I knew this because I had seen the article from my seat, and a moment ago I had asked his thoughts on it. The older White man sitting next to me on the plane had that morning's Wall Street Journal open to an article titled, "The Tyranny of the DEI Bureaucracy," and was just about finished reading it. ![]()
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