It’s nothing short of fascinating: the sheer effectiveness of the anti-DEI movement in convincing people—even those from marginalized communities—that social equity is somehow a threat to them. Over the past few years, right-wing politicians, media figures, and influencers have weaponized fear and division to turn DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) into a dirty word. They have convinced a brown man that gender equity is bad for him, a white woman that racial equity threatens her chances, and countless others that fairness itself is unfair.
Meanwhile, those of us who genuinely believe in justice, fairness, and equal opportunity have worked tirelessly to spread a message of hope. We have argued that gender equity benefits men too, that racial equity strengthens society as a whole, and that fairness is not a zero-sum game. Yet, in this period of economic distress—with rising unemployment, inflation, and financial uncertainty—the politics of fear have been far more effective than the politics of unity.
So, where do we go from here?
Fear Wins When People Feel Vulnerable
The anti-DEI movement did not succeed because their arguments were rational or rooted in facts. They succeeded because they understood a simple, fundamental truth: when people feel vulnerable, they are more likely to look for someone to blame.
In times of economic crisis, uncertainty, and job instability, people worry about their futures. Instead of addressing the real culprits—corporate greed, stagnating wages, and economic policies that benefit the ultra-rich—right-wing politicians have cleverly redirected that frustration. They tell struggling white workers that racial diversity programs are the reason they can’t get ahead. They tell men that feminism is what’s holding them back, not the economic system that prioritizes profit over people.
This is the brilliance of their messaging: they turn social equity into a personal threat. Instead of acknowledging that powerful institutions have long manipulated and exploited workers of all races and genders, they convince the public that the real danger is their neighbor, their coworker, or some “woke” corporation. They take genuine concerns—rising prices, job scarcity, a changing society—and offer a scapegoat that fits into their political narrative.
A Playbook of Division
The right-wing media machine has been frighteningly effective in exploiting division, resentment, and historical biases. They use tactics that are as old as time:
- Convince people that fairness is a threat – They tell individuals in privileged positions that extending fairness to others means taking something away from them. “If women get more leadership roles, that means fewer for men.” “If Black and brown employees are promoted, white employees will lose out.”
- Redefine the problem – Instead of acknowledging historical discrimination and corporate power imbalances, they convince people that DEI itself is discriminatory. A simple effort to reach out to diverse job applicants when hiring is now labeled “reverse racism.” A policy to support women in the workplace is suddenly an “attack on men.”
- Use emotional storytelling – They flood social media and news outlets with cherry-picked stories of white men or conservative women who claim they were “victims” of DEI policies. They highlight rare, out-of-context cases where DEI might have been poorly implemented and amplify those as if they represent the entire system.
- Create an “us vs. them” mentality – They paint DEI supporters as elitist, out-of-touch liberals who are forcing their worldview on “regular” people. Instead of having a real conversation about systemic inequality, they convince people that DEI is just another political battle to “win” or “lose.”
Where We Go From Here: A New Strategy
For those of us who care about equality, fairness, and opportunity for all, it’s time to rethink how we fight back. Clearly, hope alone is not enough. The other side is offering fear, and fear is persuasive—so we need to counter with both hope and urgency.
Here’s how we move forward:
- Be Clear About What’s at Stake
It’s not enough to say, “Equity is good for everyone.” We need to spell out the risks of inaction.
- For women: If gender equity efforts are rolled back, fewer women will get leadership positions, workplace harassment protections will weaken, and pay disparities will widen.
- For people of color: If racial equity is dismantled, hiring discrimination will rise, and corporate leadership will remain overwhelmingly white.
- For LGBTQ+ communities: If diversity programs disappear, inclusive workplaces will decline, and anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination will become more normalized.
People need to see the real consequences—not in abstract terms, but in ways that directly affect their lives.
- Shift the Focus from DEI to Corporate Power
The real winners of anti-DEI backlash aren’t regular working-class people—they’re wealthy corporations and conservative power players who want to keep wages low and prevent workers from organizing. Instead of allowing DEI to be the battleground, we need to redirect anger toward the actual problem: the corporate unchecked power.
- Reclaim the Narrative on Fairness
We need to stop defending DEI as a “woke” policy and instead frame it in terms of fundamental fairness. Do you believe people should be paid fairly for their work? Do you believe qualified people should have opportunities regardless of their race or gender? If so, you already support the core principles of DEI. The opposition has framed DEI as some radical agenda when, in reality, it’s just about giving everyone a fair shot.
- Expose the Hypocrisy of the Anti-DEI Movement
Many of the loudest anti-DEI voices benefit from the very system they criticize. Right-wing politicians push fear-based narratives about racial and gender equity while quietly supporting policies that make the rich richer and the poor poorer. If DEI opponents truly cared about “fairness,” they would address corporate corruption, pay disparities, and worker exploitation—but they don’t, because their goal was never fairness. It was maintaining the status quo.
The Fight is Not Over
The anti-DEI movement has shown us just how powerful fear, resentment, and economic anxiety can be when harnessed for political gain. But if fear can be weaponized against progress, it can also be used to mobilize people toward justice.
We need to make it clear: if DEI disappears, it won’t just hurt marginalized groups—it will hurt everyone except the wealthiest elites. The world we are fighting for is not just a better one for women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized groups—it’s a better world for everyone who values fairness, opportunity, and justice.
We must stand firm—not just with hope, but with the urgency and clarity that this moment demands.
For more reflections and up to date insights on organizational culture, leadership and DEI, follow Wyle Baoween on LinkedIn or visit Inclusivity’s Resources Page.
