Noting the Issues: Reflections in an Anti-DEI Climate
In 2025, the political climate surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become increasingly hostile. Across the country, legislation and rhetoric have emerged that seek to dismantle DEI programs, silence conversations about race and gender, and reframe equity efforts as divisive or unnecessary.
This backlash is not new—it is a reaction to the discomfort that arises when systems of privilege are challenged. But it is especially dangerous now, as it threatens to undo decades of progress in multicultural transformation.
The cooperative process, as outlined throughout this guide, stands in direct contrast to the anti-DEI movement. It invites us to lean into discomfort, to examine our assumptions, and to build trust through accountability and shared power.
Opponents of DEI often argue that these efforts create division. But true multicultural work does not divide—it reveals the divisions that already exist and offers tools to heal them.
The guidelines for a multicultural process—confidentiality, self-focus, try-on, no shame/no blame, awareness of process and content, intent vs. impact, and personal responsibility—are not political mandates. They are human practices. They help us navigate complexity, honor difference, and move toward authentic connection.
In this climate, it is more important than ever to hold the line. To continue the work. To speak truth to power.
We must remember that DEI is not a trend—it is a commitment to justice. It is the ongoing process of creating spaces where all people can thrive.
Let us not be deterred by political noise. Let us deepen our resolve.
These challenges underscore the importance of the tools outlined earlier in this guide. From the Guidelines for a Multicultural Process to the strategies for identifying target and non-target positions, doing personal work, and recognizing subtle ISMs, each tool offers a pathway to navigate resistance and foster transformation.
In particular, the emphasis on self-awareness, emotional accountability, and shared power provides a counter-narrative to the fear-based rhetoric of anti-DEI movements. These tools are not just theoretical—they are practical instruments for building inclusive communities, healing cultural wounds, and sustaining long-term change.
— Michael Rath