The Real Issue Isn’t DEI—It’s the Caste System in America

Dear Readers,

We live in a world overflowing with information, yet some truths remain deliberately hidden. Lately, I’ve heard endless discussions about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), as if it’s the key to leveling the playing field. But here’s my take—DEI is just another way of masking the Caste System that dictates who thrives and who struggles in America.

Caste in America: More Than Just Racism

Many people mistake systemic issues in housing, employment, and education as solely racial problems. But race is just the most visible marker of a deeper system—a caste system—that predetermines where you live, what resources you have, and how hard you must fight to rise above it.

I drive through cities and see the caste system in action:

• In Black and low-income neighborhoods, houses, streets, and stores are falling apart.
• A few blocks away, wealthier neighborhoods have pristine streets, luxury apartments, and thriving businesses.
• In housing, there are no DEI positions because there’s no need—the caste system ensures that lack of resources keeps certain people locked in struggle.

We already have real laws to protect the vulnerable:

• The Fair Housing Act
• The Constitution ("All men are created equal")
• Laws protecting seniors, children, and people with disabilities

Yet, these protections dismantle the caste system that underlies it all. So, while we hear companies flaunt DEI initiatives, we’re distracted from the bigger issue. DEI has become a corporate buzzword, but real change comes from enforcing laws that already exist. Instead of getting distracted by surface-level initiatives, we need to hold systems accountable for upholding these protections.

DEI: A Distraction from Systemic Inequality

If companies and policymakers truly cared about equality, they wouldn’t just hire a Chief Diversity Officer—they would tear down the barriers that keep people locked in generational poverty.

I recently met a Saudi Arabian teen who was denied a factory job simply because her English wasn’t strong enough—even though she was eager to work. Meanwhile, Black Americans struggle to promise their children a future because the caste system already dictates what’s possible for them.

"If we really want to talk about inclusion, let’s talk about people like the young Saudi Arabian woman I met—turned away from a factory job because of language, not ability. This isn’t just about race. It’s about a caste system that decides who deserves opportunity and who doesn’t."

So I ask you: If we really want change, why aren’t we talking about caste instead of DEI?

What Needs to Happen Next

1. Call It What It Is – Stop hiding behind DEI rhetoric and recognize the caste system that exists in housing, employment, and education.
2. Redistribute Resources Equitably – If funding exists for certain groups, why isn’t it split to also uplift those already struggling?
3. Challenge the Illusion of DEI Success – Holding a DEI event or hiring a specialist doesn’t fix a broken system—it just makes it look progressive.
4. Push for Policy Change – Real laws exist, but enforcement is selective. It’s time to demand accountability on policies that should already be serving us.

The time for distractions is over. If we want real change, we must dismantle the caste system, not just play along with the illusion of diversity.

Join the Fight for Housing Justice

The Housing Justice PAC is expanding, and I’m looking for board members who are passionate about real housing solutions. Housing justice isn’t about politics—I’m not a Democrat or a Republican. It’s about tackling every aspect of housing—financial stability, tenant rights, homeownership, renting, and affordability.

I’m also looking for a bus to help mobilize this movement nationwide. If you own property and want to make a real impact, you can donate property to the Apartment and Housing Rentals Foundation (AHRF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

If you want to get involved as a Housing Justice PAC board member or support this mission, contact [email protected] for CTUA membership and [email protected] for all things Housing Justice.

Let’s break barriers and build a stronger housing system together.

Are you ready to face the truth?

Let’s talk.

Lashondra Graves, The Apartment Lady?