Not so long ago, when civil unrest erupted nationwide in response to disgraced policing activity, the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion programs (DEI) burgeoned in every aspect of American society. While some will point to a variety of incidents and developments in recent history as the primary factor that led to the rise of DEI programming, it is generally recognized that George Floyd’s murder in 2020 and ensuing protests are what spurred the growth of DEI programs, policies and efforts in both public and private environments.
In the months following Floyd’s death, the term DEI became a recognized acronym and snowballed into a major national movement. Soon, it was commonplace for every business, government entity and religious group to identify a DEI committee and leadership. An industry was born and grew almost overnight. And not surprisingly, progress – real progress – was made. Conversation and dialogue concerning the lack of diversity, true equity and real inclusion became much more than a tagline or generic reference. America was finally reckoning with the fact that systemic racism is embedded in our history, and acknowledging that our nation’s policies and practices have favored white people and conferred advantages on them. The progress on this front was not limited to churches, temples and synagogues. No, progress was witnessed in public and private companies, government institutions, colleges and universities and local schools and organizations. While an end game was not defined, progress on the DEI front seemed real and headed in a positive direction where non-white and other marginalized members of our society could find a place, a job, a career, an education, a place to live and sustain like every other member of our society.
But in recent years we’ve seen the pendulum swing in the other direction.
Unfortunately, DEI became more politicized and certain groups sought to stem the rising tide of social justice. Regressive activists preferred to return to the days of the 1950s, actively working to shut down the activism surrounding minority empowerment, social justice and civil rights. These same groups, including those directly affiliated with hate-inspired organizations, set their sights on challenging race-related college admissions policies at the U.S. Supreme Court. The result was a cataclysmic shift in DEI practices and policies, public and private.
And in June of 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a decision that amounted to a DEI bombshell. In the case brought by Students For Fair Admissions (SFFA), the Court was asked to address the legality of race-conscious affirmative action in college admissions. The final ruling pitted conservative judges against liberals, and the Court determined in a 6-3 ruling that any college which accounts for race in the admissions process violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Federal Constitution.
That case was just the start and provided the impetus to stop DEI in its tracks. As recognized in the Harvard Business Review, while the Court’s recent ruling is focused on government and university policies, we quickly learned that corporate leaders use the decision as a reason to abandon the DEI programs they already quietly opposed.
And to add more fuel to the effort to eliminate DEI programs, the same activists that initiated and funded the SFFA litigation sued companies, accountants and law firms that actively promoted DEI efforts. As a result, many companies and their law firms have re-fashioned, re-rebranded or even eliminated DEI as a driver of business growth.
So where do we stand as Christians and Catholics, in light of the social upheaval that has dampened if not destroyed the path to social justice in the sectarian space? Fortunately for Catholics and others who seek guidance from his wisdom, we need only to look to the words of Pope Francis who long ago articulated that social justice is the fight for human dignity. In recent pronouncements released worldwide, Pope Francis articulated that Christians need to understand and live the gift of diversity in the Church. In prayer, Pope Francis reminds us that “If we are guided by the Holy Spirit, abundance, variety, diversity, never cause conflict – period.” He continues, that diversity and unity are needed in our ecumenical dialogue: “This is not something confusing or disturbing, but is a gift God gives to the Christian community so it might grow as one body, the Body of Christ.”
Such simple words, containing brilliant guidance, should be viewed by all that DEI is not dead. While in the corporate, professional and educational world there is a retrenchment on the social justice front, for Catholics and others of faith, our battles are being reignited. Religious institutions including the Catholic Church cannot fold when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our entire faith is based around these three principles. Sitting silently just won’t do, in these difficult times when not only is DEI under attack but hate crimes are on the rise. As Father Tom recently said in a homily, “Often the language of love is overshadowed by the language of hate” in today’s society. Our faith commands us to advocate for the vulnerable in our midst, and DEI is a clear example of this. We are called to speak up loudly against efforts to halt the inclusion of those long banned from being equal citizens.
The final word is far from over but as Pope Francis appeals to us to pray that in diversity, “the Christian community might grow as one body, the Body of Christ.”