DEI is Not a Favor

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in corporate America all have one major thing in common: they tend to fail. One of the primary reasons for this is that corporations view DEI as a favor.?

For those who are in the position to set corporate initiatives, the system works. These people don’t require changes to be made to the system in order for them to exist comfortably in society. Therefore, if they choose to put a DEI initiative in place, they generally feel that they are doing so either as a publicity stunt, or out of a sense of charity. Charity, however, is a highly problematic motivation for two reasons. First: it’s optional. And second: it’s framed as only benefiting the receiving party. In fact, both of these assumptions are false.?

The objective health of a society exists apart from the opinion of the ruling class. This is tricky, however, because, as we all know, history is written by the victors. Similarly, the health of a society is publicly determined by those whose voices are most heard. In this sense, black people are at a tremendous disadvantage in two ways: we are technically a minority (being only 13.4% of American society), and we are less advantaged in nearly every other way possible (health, wealth, proportional representation in corporate America, government, media, the list goes on). In our society, the voices of black people are barely heard. And it is those voices that are screaming: “We are not okay.?This?is not okay.”

If those who set the narrative for society are those who don’t feel its worst effects, progress is viewed as being optional. The prioritization of social progress is then weighed against what is considered to be?not?optional: bottom line, profit and social comfort.

Those who are in positions to enact DEI initiatives are those who don’t need it. That will always render efforts ineffective and under-prioritized.

The other assumption that is inaccurate is the idea that a more diverse and inclusive workplace and society will only benefit minorities. This is false. “A 2015 McKinsey report on 366 public companies found that those in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity in management were 35% more likely than others to have financial returns above the industry mean. Various studies have shown that teams composed of both white and black people are more likely to focus on facts, carefully process information, and spur innovation when the organizational culture and leadership supports learning across differences.” (Toward a Racially Just Workplace, Harvard Business Review)?

More diverse organizations and teams are more successful and more profitable. Period. This may come as a surprise to you, but it shouldn’t. The old Darwinian theory that competition is the root of all progress has been debunked enough that that narrative is beginning to change. The quality that takes competition’s place as the progenitor of progress is collaboration. That is, being forced to learn across differences. Being forced to adopt the perspective of someone who is different from us forces us to physically build new synapses and expand our capabilities. Working on a shared goal with someone who is different from us and brings a different background and perspective to the table is not an impediment to our ability to innovate, it’s the very breeding ground for innovation.?

Innovation, like growth, is not always comfortable. Anyone who owns their own business knows this. Anyone who has launched a product that disrupts an industry knows this. Anyone who has tried to pitch an innovative solution to a panel of investors knows this. But the most worthwhile work in society is not the work that’s easy.?

What do you want your legacy to be? “He always lived in comfort?” Or, “He pushed society forward?”

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Heartless Bastards is perhaps the most inaccurately named band in American history. In their song “How Low”, the Cincinnati foursome sings about the necessity of working together and the greed of oppressing others for personal gain.?

The video begins by showing individuals of means engaged in consumerism and enjoying the spoils of society. It then shifts to images of the ugly side of society that is the direct result of that consumption and hedonism yet invisible to those who most perpetuate it. Images alternate between these two extremes until breaking into clips of people helping one another, from caring for refugees to public demonstrations for social change.?

The band consists of individuals who most benefit from society’s advantages: white folks, and pop stars, no less. Yet they have chosen to use this tremendous power to speak directly to others who look like them in order to stand up for the needs of those who don’t.?