DIVERSITY
How Black Americans Flipped the "DEI" Discourse on Its Head
Unofficial meanings of the acronym DEI expose racial attitudes
While the acronym DEI officially stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, there's been an ongoing debate regarding its second, unofficial meaning. Those who oppose these policies are more likely to claim they grant unearned opportunities to racial minorities, hence their slogan, "didn't earn it." However, some Black Americans have flipped the script, reframing the conversation with phrases such as "definitely earned it" and "duly elected incumbent." This pushback serves as a reminder that while some people endorse racist stereotypes that cast Black Americans as unworthy of opportunities, many are qualified and deserving of such roles.
For example, after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed last spring, some racists began referring to Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott as a "DEI mayor." They claimed he didn't rightfully earn his position, was not qualified, and blamed him for events out of his control. An investigation later revealed that "a loose cable" on the Dali cargo ship struck the bridge, which "could have caused electrical issues," triggering the crash and subsequent collapse. Despite no evidence supporting the theory that the Black mayor caused the bridge collapse…
