IDERD: A Day to Speak Truth, Not to Appease

Next week marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD). It is a day that should compel us to reflect, to challenge, and to take action. Yet, in today’s climate of global DEI backlash, where diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are increasingly under scrutiny, fear has crept into the very conversations that are meant to drive change.

Fear of losing jobs. 

Fear of saying something that triggers a reaction from right-wing groups or organizations wary of “political correctness.” 

Fear of addressing the realities of privilege, systemic discrimination, and the lived experiences of those who endure oppression every day.        

I recently had a conversation with someone who told me that there’s now pressure to desensitise messages about IDERD to avoid backlash. The expectation is to soften our language, to dilute the truth, and to make messages more palatable. But at what cost?

If we water down our discussions about racism and discrimination, do we not risk erasing the very people we claim to support? Do we not risk allowing privilege to remain unchecked? Do we not risk rendering lived experiences invisible in the pursuit of making others feel comfortable?

This is where we need to pause and reflect: Why are we in this space of DEI?

Sure, I can accept a reconciliatory tone that seeks to engage rather than blame. Bridging divides is necessary. However, that does not mean ignoring the elephant in the room. Because to do so is to uphold the status quo. It is to let injustice slide. It is to pretend that everything is fine when, in reality, the systems that uphold racial inequity remain deeply entrenched.

IDERD Should Not Be About Empty Promises

This day must be more than just platitudes, polished corporate statements, token lunches, or well-meaning but ultimately empty gestures. It must be a day where we acknowledge the deep-rooted, systemic nature of racial discrimination.

We need to:

• Talk about the ways racism is embedded in our institutions, policies, and workplace cultures.
• Address privilege—not to shame, but to create awareness of the disparities that exist.
• Uplift voices that are often sidelined, giving people who face racial discrimination a true seat at the table—not as an act of charity but as a necessity for real change.
• Hold organizations and leaders accountable for actions beyond performative allyship.

Because without these conversations, without these actions, IDERD risks becoming just another box to tick. And if that happens, we fail those who need us to stand firm, to speak up, and to challenge injustice wherever it persists.

So I ask—where do we draw the line? How much are we willing to compromise for the sake of comfort? And more importantly, are we truly committed to the elimination of racial discrimination, or are we simply engaging in performative activism that maintains the status quo?

IDERD is a call to action. Let’s make it count.

#IDERD2025

#EndRacism

#RacialJustice

#SpeakUp

#DEI

#EquityMatters

#NoMoreTokenism

#SystemicChange

#ChallengeInjustice

#BeyondPlatitudes

#RealChange

#UpliftVoices

#HoldAccountable

#ReflectAndAct