Natasha

On Wednesday, January 29th, I began unpacking the attack on DEI, particularly the strategic language in the Trump Administration’s memo released on Monday, January 27th. If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, I recommend doing so before diving into Part 2. We’re surrounded by misinformation, with many gathering bits of data without context or confirming the truth. I don’t want you to form an opinion based on only part of the story. It’s like jumping into a conversation midstream and being asked for your opinion without the full picture. If you’ve already read Part 1, and now reading these words, I’ll assume you didn’t completely dismiss what I had to say. Thank you for continuing on this sensitive journey with me.

Today, let’s dive deeper into what’s really at stake (because, as some may assume, it’s not just black and urban) and explore how we can respond.

The Memo’s Language: A Strategic Move

The memo uses charged language to frame DEI and other progressive policies as harmful to Americans. Phrases like “Marxist equity,” “woke gender ideology,” and “green new deal social engineering” are not accidental. They are crafted to provoke fear and suspicion. Here’s why this matters:

1. Framing DEI as Un-American: By labeling DEI as “Marxist,” the administration is positioning it as an existential threat to American values, conflating efforts to address inequities with ideologies historically associated with political extremism.
2. Gender and Biological Essentialism: Terms like ‘woke gender ideology’ are often used to discredit transgender rights and inclusive policies, framing them as dangerous or extreme. Presenting this as “restoring biological truth” directly challenges the humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals. While you may have a different opinion on how someone self-identifies or what they choose to do with their body, you don’t have the right to dehumanize them just to feel more comfortable with how others fit into your worldview. I will address this issue in greater detail in future posts, as it deserves the attention.
3. Division Through Simplification: The memo oversimplifies complex issues, promoting an “us versus them” narrative—a theme that has been a constant in America’s history. This polarization distracts from the true purpose of DEI, which is to address systemic challenges affecting everyone. The United States wouldn’t exist without diversity, equity, and inclusion. If Europeans had been denied access to this land, Indigenous people would have only been left to navigate the diversity, equity, and inclusion among the many tribes that had lived here for thousands of years before those European ships set sail in pursuit of imperialistic conquests. Imagine that.

The Consequences of This Attack

This pause on federal funding doesn’t just affect abstract programs or distant organizations—it affects real people. Here’s how:

• Communities Already Facing Barriers: Programs designed to support marginalized communities, including women, people of color, the elderly, and individuals in Rust Belt and rural areas, are now under threat. Without this support, existing disparities in education, healthcare, and employment will widen.
• Workplace Setbacks: Many DEI initiatives are designed to create more equitable workplaces by addressing hiring biases, pay gaps, and career advancement disparities. Curtailing these efforts hurts not only underrepresented groups but also the overall economy, which benefits from diverse and inclusive teams.
• Environmental Injustice: By targeting climate-related policies as “social engineering,” the administration undermines efforts to address environmental inequities that disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color.

The Bigger Picture

This memo is part of a broader effort to dismantle systemic change. By targeting DEI, the administration isn’t just pausing funding—it’s signaling to Americans that equity and inclusion are divisive concepts rather than unifying ones. It’s an attempt to roll back decades of progress in civil rights and social justice.

But this isn’t just about policy—it’s about the kind of society we want to live in. Do we want to create spaces where everyone can participate and succeed? Or do we want to return to systems that benefit a select few at the expense of the many?

What Can We Do?

As this administration moves forward with its agenda, we can’t afford to stay silent. Here’s how we can take action:

1. Stay Informed: Understand the policies being enacted and how they impact you, your community, and the causes you care about.
2. Speak Out: Use your voice to counter misinformation and explain why DEI matters. Whether it’s a conversation with friends or a post on social media, don’t underestimate the power of sharing your perspective.
3. Support DEI Work: Many organizations are working tirelessly to advance equity and inclusion despite these challenges. Donate, volunteer, or amplify their work whenever possible.
4. Hold Leaders Accountable: Engage with your elected officials regularly, not just during election cycles. Demand that they advocate for policies that promote equity and inclusion. Remember, elected officials work for you. If you hired someone at your company who was paid to do a job but performed with mediocrity or sabotaged your efforts, would you allow them to stay on the payroll without taking action? Accountability should apply to them as it does to anyone in a position of responsibility.

Building the Foundation for What’s Next

What I’ve shared here and in Part 1, are more than just a critique of the memo—it’s the start of a larger conversation. Over the coming months, I’ll be exploring the deeper implications of this and similar policies. I’ll also be breaking down what DEI truly means (using everyday examples), why it’s necessary, and how we can address the resistance it faces.

It can feel exhausting at times because I’ve been talking about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice for over 30 years, and specifically sharing my thoughts through blogs and social media for the past 15 years. I understand that more people are curious, confused, or challenged by the concepts of DEI and Justice than there are those who are willfully ignorant or charged with attacking when they hear the dog whistles.

Ultimately, this is about ensuring that DEI isn’t just a buzzword but a genuine commitment to building a more just and equitable society. Together, we can push back against misinformation and create a future where, with justice, barriers are eliminated, allowing us to focus on thriving and building bridges instead of walls.

Let’s keep this conversation going. Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly—I want to hear from you. This is a moment for clarity, connection, and action.

If by chance you never read Part 1: Unpacking the Attack on DEI — What It Really Means For Us, I think now is a good time to backtrack over there, that way you will be prepared for our next discussion. You can find that post at this link.

With love and respect,

Natasha