I will never forget standing in front of the United States Supreme Court alongside the legendary Congressman Parren J. Mitchell as we protested the deliberations of Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Peña. This case, a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, challenged the legitimacy of affirmative action in business procurement. As I looked out over the crowd, I saw a sea of Black faces—more than 90 percent of the people gathered were African Americans.
Where were my Latino brothers and sisters? Where were my Asian brothers and sisters? Where were my European sisters? Where were my disabled veteran brothers and sisters? The stark reality struck me: when it is time to fight for fairness and justice in America, African Americans are too often the ones standing in the cut, taking the blows. This experience is playing itself out once again as political forces attempt to erase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from American society.
The attack on DEI is not just an attack on Black and Brown people—it is an attack on all marginalized and underrepresented groups. One of the greatest myths about DEI is that it only benefits African Americans. But let’s get real. The data tells a different story.
Who Has Benefited Most from DEI and Affirmative Action?
Affirmative action and DEI initiatives have opened doors for women, veterans, people with disabilities, and yes, even white Americans. Let’s examine the numbers:
- White women have been among the greatest beneficiaries of affirmative action. Research from the U.S. Department of Labor has shown that since the advent of affirmative action policies, white women have seen significant gains in employment and educational opportunities.
- Veterans and individuals with disabilities have gained increased access to jobs, government contracts, and educational opportunities due to DEI policies.
- Latinos and Asian Americans have benefited from minority business development programs, scholarship opportunities, and corporate diversity hiring initiatives.
Despite these undeniable advantages, when DEI comes under attack, the loudest voices in its defense are overwhelmingly African American. This must change. Every group that has benefited from these policies should be raising their voices as one collective force.
How to Take the Fight to DEI’s Opponents
We cannot afford to be passive as the forces of regression attempt to dismantle the hard-fought gains of DEI. Here are three concrete actions we must take:
- Build a Multiracial, Multigenerational Coalition – The fight for DEI cannot be left solely to African Americans. Women, veterans, Latinos, Asians, and disabled individuals must recognize that their futures are on the line as well. We need to unite across racial, gender, and economic lines to form an unbreakable front.
- Leverage Economic Power – Corporations must understand that dismantling DEI initiatives will come at a cost. Consumers should pressure businesses to maintain their commitments to diversity and equity by supporting companies that uphold these values and boycotting those that do not.
- Control the Narrative – The opposition has been effective in mischaracterizing DEI as unnecessary or divisive. We must push back with facts, data, and real-life success stories. We must flood social media, news outlets, and political forums with the truth: DEI is not about exclusion—it is about inclusion and fairness for all.
A Call to Action
History has shown that progress is never given freely—it must be fought for. Just as Parren J. Mitchell stood firm in his time, we must stand firm in ours. The battle for DEI is a battle for America’s soul. It is time for all of us—Black, white, Latino, Asian, male, female, disabled, veteran—to raise our voices as one. The stakes are too high, and silence is not an option.
Let’s get real about DEI. Let’s fight for the future we all deserve.
