According to the dictionary, diversity means the “practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.”
*Photo source: Unsplash*
Anti-DEI sentiment in America has led to state and federal actions, including legislation and executive orders to restrict or ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in government, education, and corporations. Opponents often argue that DEI programs are discriminatory, create divisiveness, and are not based on merit or individual excellence. They may also claim that DEI is illegal and goes against the principles of colorblindness or individual dignity.
*Photo source: Unsplash*
The lion’s story will never be known as long as the hunter is the one to tell it.
*—African proverb*
As this anti-DEI world casts long shadows, students, educators, workers, business and civic leaders alike wonder what this moment actually means. Many of us lack a clear definition of what “diversity, equity, and inclusion” truly mean, for whom, or in which context they apply. Yet the shared feelings we are grappling with today in the wake of these changes are hauntingly familiar.
Just as America seemed to be striving toward atoning for its prejudice-laden legacy and moving forward together—even if slowly—the brakes have screeched. Instead of unity, we are facing an all-too-familiar backlash and troubling acts of hate that harm our collective vitality and even our global competitiveness. And while everyone is affected, families in the poorest communities are always hit the hardest.
We cannot—and should not—assume that we can endure this historical retrenchment without preparation for the trauma. To survive and thrive above this cycle, we must design and execute a holistic healing strategy. It is mind-boggling that making equal space for everyone is considered taboo today, especially given the wealth of data, case studies, and research demonstrating the benefits of such approaches.
We can see the rates of illness, poverty, and stunted life expectancy in the United States, all traceable to our persistent “othering.” In my practice, I have witnessed countless people wanting to stand up to injustice and hate but were held back by guilt or fear of humiliation, remaining quiet. This is true for children and adults who are attacked for their identities and condemned to endure the stress of being “different.” The effects of hate seep into their lives, disrupting sleep or work productivity and causing anxiety about future dehumanizing encounters.
“Othering” manifests in many forms—whether microaggressions or overt instances of racism, sexism, and other “-isms,” both in-person and online. Stress reactions are common: palpitations after a tense encounter, stomach tightening after a prejudiced comment, or secret hopes that neither tongue nor thoughts betray them at the wrong moment.
Daily fears accumulate—worrying about tipping points, simmering anger for having to expend extra energy just to walk down a street, board a train, or enter a store. Imagine the exhaustion of constantly shapeshifting to fit in, and eventually the moment when you resolve to unleash your truth, regardless of consequences.
Added to this is the unmooring of former norms—from reliable employment and secure neighborhoods to shifting gender roles and classification—creating a toxic and intensifying climate. In conducting research, leading healing seminars, teaching, or simply sharing conversation over tea, these are the stories I see and hear. The palpable stress affects people of all backgrounds across America.
This is a paralyzing time, entirely contrary to the creativity needed to cultivate success today or abundance tomorrow. In this haze of despair and distrust, it can feel difficult to see a path forward—or to believe that your story is what’s needed. The truth is: your story is sorely needed.
Too often, we overlook the transformative power of sharing our experiences—just as we rarely question why, according to the African proverb, hunters are consistently celebrated as heroes, not the lion. It is because the hunter writes the story. This is the trauma we must recognize within ourselves and our communities—before we check on our little ones.
Like the lion, we need to rescue our stories from the mouths of false prophets. We know that lies can kill. It’s time to count the cost of silencing ourselves or overreacting to those lies.
Telling the truth about our stories empowers us to recast traumatic experiences into strategies of resistance, creating curricula for the next generation. When we reclaim our narratives, our collective voices fortify our resolve, protest, and advancement.
This process requires peeling back personal histories, revisiting the exact moments or words that eroded your confidence and sense of worth. Excavating our stories encourages curiosity, inspires courage, and ignites the will to confront dehumanization on our terms. This is how we purge the shame and fear that fuel bias and prejudice.
With practice, these healthy responses become reflexive—even normal. Such strategies are necessary not only to survive this moment but also to resist and thrive in spite of it. Only holistically healthy people can forge the future our ancestors foretold, tapping into a reservoir of faith and resilience.
But whatever we do, we cannot fight injustice without a healing strategy.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that TSA employees who “stepped up every single day” and “served with exemplary service” would be receiving bonus checks.
https://www.phillytrib.com/how-to-navigate-and-succeed-at-crossroads-of-an-anti-dei-america/article_2a98a595-3fa9-401b-be56-ddb6b5bc86fa.html