DEI Is Not Enough—Now Is the Time for Social Justice

Abstract

The first few weeks of the Trump administration were accompanied by executive orders and directives to ban federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. These actions created chaos and generated fear throughout institutions that promoted DEI policies, and for some, emboldened those institutions to end DEI policies in their workplaces. This piece argues that institutional policies instituted without personal commitment to social justice are susceptible to failure. The author discusses the difference between DEI and social justice, highlighting everyday examples of DEI and the risks and rewards of strengthening DEI through social justice practices. The author suggests actions individual readers need to take in defense of DEI in the workplace. The reader is challenged to engage in individual action-taking through self-reflection questions posed at the end of the piece.