How to celebrate Black history in a world where DEI has become the new N-word

It’s Black History Month in a country where the federal government cancelled it. Where airplane crashes and bridge collapses are blamed on DEI (code for employees of color, who DEI haters accuse of not deserving their positions). Where conspiracy theorists label Kendrick Lamar’s fiercely Black Superbowl Halftime Show as a “DEI halftime show.” Yes, DEI has become a coded insult for Black.

As Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones told the Miami Herald, “There’s no need to sugarcoat it: DEI is the new n-word, and they’re using it to discredit the qualifications of people who are more qualified than individuals who have no qualifications at all.”

In this time of DEI attacks and companies walking back their commitments to inclusion, many people of color are unsurprised. George Floyd’s highly public murder and Black Lives Matter protests prompted hundreds of corporate boardrooms to adopt DEI programs or goals. Five years later, only 18 companies out of more than 500 global firms?have stuck by their goals to add more Black employees, according to Windō, a London-based online platform. Charlotte Sweeney writes in Forbes?about why most DEI programs are ineffective.

Furthermore, only 3.8% of chief diversity officers in the United States are Black. Not as much progress as we hoped.

DEI expert Lily Zheng writes on LinkedIn that in fact, the "death of DEI" is a fallacy and in fact, "In 2025, 65% of companies are maintaining their DEI budgets and activities, and 22% are INCREASING spend."

At the same time, I believe attacks on DEI are the last dying gasp of white supremacy. Our country will be far more melanated as the years advance. In 2050, only 47% of the U.S. population will be non-Hispanic white. Latinos will be 29% of the population, Black people 13.4%, and Asians 9% (compared to 14%, 12.8%, and 5% in 2005, respectively). Any wonder why the new administration is spinning out of control trying to penalize immigrants and anyone who is not white?

It's a harder time than ever before to be Black in the USA. So how can we celebrate Black History Month in spite of the rampant racism?

I have a few ideas:

Buy Black?

Direct your dollars to Black businesses and professionals. Follow them on social media and elevate their work. If you have buying power in your workplace, seek out Black brands. Target set a goal in 2022 to invest $2 billion to include 500 Black-owned brands by 2025 and is on track to meet that goal. When Target cut its DEI program, many called for a boycott. However, many Black business owners say they will be hurt by a boycott. The best response is to buy directly from these brands but ALSO to buy from Target, which needs to know we care about buying Black.

Stand up to racism and defend DEI

Speak up.?Be an active bystander, calling out people who make racist statements or microaggressions. Contact companies that have gutted DEI programs to let them know they are important. Reach out to your elected officials and advocate for programs that benefit Black folks (including DEI, as imperfect as it is). Have conversations about race and acknowledge how far society still needs to go. Don’t skirt the issue. Defend DEI when you hear it criticized; this post by Liam Paschall is a great start, as he explains who actually benefits...it's not just a corporate buzzword or special treatment.

Attend Black History events

Search for events that celebrate Black history and excellence. We have so many opportunities?here in Oregon, including a free pop-up museum?in downtown Portland.

Educate yourself

Celebrate Black literature by reading Black authors, learning about Black historical figures, listening to podcasts, and investing in anti-racism training. Subscribe to 28 Days of Black History?to learn about a notable person each day. ?Check out these places to explore Black history in Oregon. One of my favorite nonprofits, the Albina Music Trust, gives a self-guided Soul Walk through?historical Black Portland.

Support Black and anti-racism nonprofits

Donate money and volunteer your time and talents with organizations that work towards racial justice, equality, and community development. For example, SURJ (Stand Up for Racial Justice)?mobilizes white people for justice across the country and offers many ways to get involved. This month I've donated to Taking Ownership PDX, an organization that revitalizes and renovates Black-owned homes in the Portland area (I learned about this fantastic nonprofit from my membership in women's giving collective ninety-nine girlfriends).

Experience and amplify Black voices, art, and music

Support Black folks by listening to music and seeing art and theatre and sharing what you find. The other day I saw an excellent play tackling racism by a Black playwright, Mrs. Harrison. Watch TV shows and movies by and featuring Black performers (let me know if you need suggestions!). And two of my musical favorites are my lovely friend and poet, songwriter, and singer Lisa Marie Simmons, who I interviewed on my podcast, and Marilyn Keller, a local Portland jazz singer.

Refer to my previous articles (Ten Ways White People Can Support Black Coworkers, How Not to Pander During Black History Month, and Eight Ways White People Can Avoid Being Jerks on Juneteenth) for more ideas.

After posting this article on LinkedIn, I got a few more suggestions from Liam Paschall :

• Offer mentorship, support, and opportunities to Black colleagues and help open doors within your professional circles.
• Support initiatives that promote racial equity in your workplace, local government, and beyond.
• Don’t limit learning and celebration to February—integrate Black history and contributions into your daily life and conversations throughout the year.
• Support policies and leaders that prioritize racial equity and justice at every level of government.
• Build relationships with Black professionals in your field and create inclusive spaces in your workplace.
• If you’re a parent or educator, make sure children learn accurate, inclusive history and understand the importance of diversity and equity.Let’s keep Black History Month alive by continuing to learn about and celebrate the diversity of our United States.

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