The Trouble With These Three Letters: Why I’m not abandoning “DEI,” even when I’m tempted to
There’s a heaviness that follows these three letters now: D, E, I.
Once, they stood for something straightforward—diversity, equity, and inclusion. Today, they stand in a political spotlight, under constant distortion. For some, they signal hope. For others, controversy. And for those of us who work in this space… they now come with baggage.
I’ve considered stepping away from the term. I’ve even considered changing the name of this site. Not because I’ve lost faith in the principles, but because I’m tired—tired of the misrepresentation, tired of the defensiveness it provokes, tired of how easily “DEI” can be dismissed before I’ve even had a chance to speak.
But here’s the truth: I’m not walking away from it.
I’m not here to perform DEI. I’m here to reclaim it—to hold space for what it really is, and to name what it’s become.
Because it’s not a trend. It’s not a checkbox. And it’s certainly not the villain some headlines have made it out to be.
It’s human work. It’s relational work. It’s messy, complicated, deeply personal work.
It lives in the uncomfortable places—where culture, power, identity, and history collide.
The political climate didn’t create DEI—but it has made it harder to live it.
I’ve felt it personally. The doubt. The burnout. The fear that my alignment with DEI could close doors instead of open them. That speaking out might cost me. That people are too tired to care.
And yet, here I am. Still showing up. Still writing. Still believing that clarity matters more than branding.
So no, I won’t be changing the name of this site.
This is DEI.
Not the weaponized version. Not the diluted version.
The real version—rooted in honesty, clarity, and the kind of cultural work that doesn’t come with templates or talking points.
Will I evolve the language? Of course. I already am.
You’ll see me write more about Relational DEI, about human-centered culture, and about the nuances that don’t fit neatly into acronyms.
But I’m not abandoning these letters. I’m reclaiming them.
Because the story isn’t over yet—and I still intend to tell the truth about what’s being lost in the noise.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If this post resonated with you—or challenged you—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and let’s talk about what DEI means to you right now.
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