The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Approach to Contending with DEI Resistance
In the beginning of 2023, numerous large-scale attacks and restrictive legislation against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) became widespread across the country. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s DEI Legislation Tracker, on a weekly basis, a new educational institution is abandoning or rebranding its DEI initiatives due to legislative measures proposed and passed by Republican parties in several states. This has led to numerous DEI experts losing their jobs and seeking employment in different sectors of higher education. As a result, students, who are only now becoming accustomed to the increased DEI efforts following George Floyd's murder, are left bewildered about their learning environments and the support provided to them.
To get a perception of the opposition to the anti-DEI movement, I had a conversation with Jonathan Cox, the Vice President of the Center for Policy Analysis & Research at the Congressional Blak Caucus Foundation (CBCF).
As a historian, I questioned Cox regarding the present attempts to remove DEI programs from educational institutions and organizations, and if they may reflect broader societal or political trends. Cox commented, "Historically, there's always been a conservative backlash or opposition to progressive movements and changes, particularly when they focus on advancements for people of color, specifically Black Americans. Consequently, large sections of white Americans unite around efforts to halt or reverse such advancements." He added that this legislative trend is reminiscent of the attempts to invalidate the Voting Rights Act which began following the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, and persist to the present day.
From Cox's perspective, DEI is a challenge to the existing order, especially the racial order, and as a result, a great deal of conservative political effort is dedicated to dismantling DEI. He explained that fear serves as a primary motivator among individuals, and these anti-DEI efforts are strengthened by tapping into fears of white erasure or Black Americans surpassing whites socially.
Given that critics frequently contend that DEI programs promote or favor identity over merit, I asked Cox to discuss the most prevalent misconceptions about DEI and how the CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis & Research (CPAR) is countering them. He explained that DEI is not divisive and is intended to create access and equality. Cox clarified that a common misconception is that only people of color benefit from DEI programs, in reality, individuals from various backgrounds, such as those with disabilities, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and white Americans, benefit. He cited affirmative action's largest beneficiaries - white women.
One of CPAR's research reports, "Deconstructing Misconceptions: Understanding Critical Race Theory (CRT)," sheds light on the misconceptions surrounding CRT, which, according to Cox, is often mistakenly associated with DEI. The report illuminates the fallacies in these arguments. For example, Cox explained that individuals are led to believe that "CRT teaches that all white people are racist and oppressors." However, in reality, CRT examines structural and institutional issues that perpetuate inequality.
I was curious about the concrete advantages of DEI initiatives in higher education and other organizations, specifically for communities of color. I asked Cox to share some of these benefits and to discuss the consequences of eliminating them. In Cox's perspective, "DEI efforts provide valuable pathways for access, particularly for marginalized groups who have experienced limited access due to historical disenfranchisement and discrimination, but more broadly also expand the talent pool." He also noted that DEI efforts aim to make "educational and work environments welcoming and inclusive spaces, improving retention and satisfaction."
When it comes to university and college environments, Cox shared that "DEI initiatives improve critical thinking skills and enhance learning and academic performance for all students, as diverse classrooms stimulate creativity, innovation, and diversify perspectives." In his opinion, without these types of initiatives, enrollment of students of color will decline, inequities will persist, and there will be "chilling effects."
Given that the backlash against DEI isn't going away, I also asked Cox about the strategies he suggests to colleges and universities, and organizations to maintain a commitment to equality and inclusion while confronting political and public resistance. Cox recommended that institutions rely on empirical data to underscore the vital role and impact of DEI initiatives. He emphasized that the data evidence the wide range of individuals who benefit from DEI efforts and can help dispel myths and misconceptions.
During this contentious period, Cox and the CBCF's Center for Policy Analysis and Research intend to stay committed to "advancing the global Black population through educating the public and informing policy." They are primarily focused on producing research that legislators can utilize to promote equality, access, and reduce disparities for Black communities.
As we proceed as a nation, under fresh national leadership, some vital questions to contemplate surrounding DEI are: 1.) As the broader societal impact of eliminating DEI programs becomes more apparent, what imaginative solutions might institutions and organizations implement to preserve inclusivity in their work and learning environments? And how can colleges and universities better communicate the tangible benefits of DEI to skeptics, ensuring that these initiatives endure for future generations?
- In responding to the backlash against DEI, Jonathan Cox from the CBCF suggested that institutions should rely on empirical data to underscore the role and impact of DEI initiatives, helping to dispel myths and misconceptions.
- Rutgers University has been one of the educational institutions affected by the anti-DEI attacks, resulting in a rebranding of its DEI initiatives due to legislative measures proposed and passed by Republican parties in several states.
- Marybeth Gasman, an esteemed scholar and expert in diversity and ethnic studies, has also been vocal about the importance of DEI in higher education, emphasizing its role in creating welcoming and inclusive learning environments.
- Inside Higher Education has reported on the falling enrollment of students of color and the chilling effects of eliminating DEI initiatives, highlighting the potential consequences of this legislative trend.
- The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) Center for Policy Analysis & Research (CPAR) has released a research report titled "Deconstructing Misconceptions: Understanding Critical Race Theory (CRT)," aiming to dispell fallacies surrounding CRT and its association with DEI.
