10 Things Yo10 Things You Should Never Say to a DEI Practitioner (A Countdown)

Working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is deeply rewarding, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges—especially when people make comments that range from mildly insensitive to outright ridiculous. If you’ve ever wondered what not to say to a DEI practitioner, here’s a countdown of the most cringeworthy, frustrating, and absurd statements we hear.

10. "We don’t need DEI anymore—racism is over."

Oh, really? That’s news to every marginalized community still fighting for equal pay, fair hiring, and basic human rights. If racism (or sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, etc.) were truly “over,” I wouldn’t still be navigating pushback against even the most basic equity initiatives.

9. "You must love cancel culture!"

DEI isn’t about “canceling” anyone—it’s about accountability, awareness, and growth. If you view efforts to create more inclusive environments as an attack, that says more about your resistance to change than about the work of DEI itself.

8. "You’re making everything about race (or gender, or identity)!"

Trust me, I don’t have to make things about race, gender, or identity—they already are. The structures we navigate daily were built with inequities baked in. DEI practitioners work to acknowledge these realities and create better systems, not invent problems where none exist.

7. "I don’t see color."

While this phrase is often meant to be inclusive, it actually erases the lived experiences of people of color. Seeing and acknowledging race (and all aspects of identity) is crucial to addressing systemic inequities. Instead of pretending differences don’t exist, try celebrating them and ensuring they don’t lead to discrimination.

6. "I hired the best candidate—I don’t believe in diversity hires."

DEI doesn’t advocate for hiring underqualified people based on identity. Instead, it works to level the playing field, ensuring that highly qualified candidates from underrepresented backgrounds actually get a fair shot. If your hiring process is truly equitable, you’re not “forced” to hire for diversity—it happens naturally.

5. "Isn’t DEI just a trend?"

DEI isn’t a TikTok challenge. It’s a centuries-long movement to create fair and just workplaces, schools, and societies. If anything, the resistance to DEI work shows just how necessary it remains.

4. "I’m all for diversity, but I don’t want to lower standards."

This is a thinly veiled way of implying that hiring marginalized folks means sacrificing excellence. In reality, diverse teams enhance performance, creativity, and innovation. If your idea of “high standards” means excluding certain groups, you should probably examine those biases.

3. "This must be so easy for you—it’s just common sense, right?"

If creating equitable systems were common sense, the world wouldn’t still be grappling with disparities in wealth, education, healthcare, and criminal justice. DEI work requires expertise, strategy, and emotional labor—none of which are “easy.”

2. "I’m afraid to say anything these days—you can’t joke about anything anymore!"

Here’s a tip: If your jokes rely on racism, sexism, homophobia, or any other form of bigotry, they were never funny to begin with. DEI practitioners aren’t the reason you’re struggling to make a joke—society’s evolving standards are. Maybe it’s time to update your material.

1. "YOU CAUSED A PLANE CRASH."

Yes, this is an actual thing people have said in the wake of recent backlash against DEI. In a bizarre moment of scapegoating, former President Donald Trump suggested that diversity hiring in aviation led to a plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, claiming that the Federal Aviation Administration’s DEI efforts compromised safety (Associated Press, 2024). The logic (or lack thereof) goes something like this: If a company prioritizes diversity in hiring, that must mean they’re sacrificing competence, which then leads to disasters. This is not only absurd but also wildly offensive to the highly skilled professionals who work in diverse fields—including aviation. The truth? A commitment to DEI ensures better, safer workplaces—not the other way around.

Bonus: "Woke Culture is ruining everything!"

Ah yes, the infamous "woke" buzzword. If by "woke," you mean being aware of injustice and working to correct it, then sure—I’ll take it. But when people throw around “woke” as a blanket insult, what they’re really saying is that they’re uncomfortable with change. Progress has always been met with resistance, but history shows that justice eventually prevails. DEI work isn’t about “ruining” anything—it’s about making the world fairer, safer, and more inclusive for everyone.

Final Thoughts

DEI work isn’t about making people uncomfortable for the sake of it—it’s about ensuring fairness, representation, and opportunity for everyone. If you genuinely want to support DEI practitioners, the best thing you can do is listen, learn, and advocate alongside us. And, you know, maybe avoid saying any of the above.

#DEI #Equity #Inclusion #Diversity #WokeCulture #WorkplaceCulture #WhatNotToSay