Why DEI Should Inspire You, Not Scare You

In conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), I’m struck by how often even generally supportive people express frustration: "It’s impossible to say anything right anymore!" The sentiment is familiar, but it’s also telling. It reveals a misunderstanding of what accountability really means—not just in our personal lives, but in the structures and systems we’re trying to change.

Accountability, at its core, is about repair and growth. It’s not about punishment or humiliation. It’s about recognizing hurt and harm, understanding how we’re connected to it, and taking steps to address it. In the human rights world, we routinely expect governments to take accountability for legacies of harm—even when those in power today didn’t create the initial mess. Why? Because they’ve inherited systems of power and privilege that perpetuate harm. They have a positional responsibility to act.

The same principle applies to DEI. Positional accountability asks us to recognize the ways we’re connected to systems of inequality, even if we didn’t personally create them. For instance, as a white person and a person with class privilege, I have not designed the structures of white supremacy or classism, but I benefit from them in ways others don’t. And that benefit comes with an opportunity: the power to make change.

This is not about assigning blame. It’s about naming the ways we’re interconnected and using that awareness to move toward justice. DEI processes aren’t meant to scare us into silence; they’re meant to open our eyes to the roles we can play in building more equitable spaces. They challenge us to ask: What does repair look like? What does growth require?

For some, the discomfort around DEI comes from a fear of “saying the wrong thing” or being “called out.” But what if we reframed that discomfort as an opportunity? Discomfort is often where growth begins. And in any meaningful relationship—whether between individuals or within communities—repairing harm strengthens the connection. It’s no different here.

DEI, and more broadly accountability, is not about guilt. It’s about a shared commitment to understanding and transforming the systems that shape our world. If we approach DEI work with that lens, it stops feeling like a minefield and starts looking like a map—a way to navigate our collective path forward. It reminds us that we are all connected, and that our individual actions, however small, contribute to a larger, necessary movement.

So the next time you feel tempted to say, "It’s impossible to say anything right anymore," pause. Consider what accountability might look like in that moment. It’s not about perfection. It’s about connection, repair, and the courage to grow.