The Real Vibe: The More Right Wing Media Freaks Out, the More Progress We’re Making!

As I reflect on the discussion around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in corporate America, one key observation stands out to me: “The more right wing media is freaking out about DEI, the more progress we’re making.”

This insightful comment from Charlemagne Tha God segment on the Daily Show suggests that the outrage from right-wing media about DEI efforts may actually be a sign that meaningful progress is occurring, despite the limitations of current corporate DEI programs.

I would encourage Christopher Rufo to watch the entire episode before posting the following: We are winning the fight against DEI. Now even the Daily Show acknowledges that DEI is “mostly garbage.”

The segment delves into the rise of DEI initiatives following the events of 2020, when many companies scrambled to address the lack of diversity in their leadership and workforce. The speaker argues that while these programs were well-intentioned, they have largely been ineffective, with studies showing that they have not significantly improved workplace diversity for minorities. In fact, the speaker suggests that DEI may have even given “racist white people cover to be openly racist.”

One of the most striking points made in the discussion is the comparison of DEI training to the failed D.A.R.E. anti-drug program, where the “backlash effect” can actually make things worse.1 The speaker humorously recounts how the D.A.R.E. program made them want to try more drugs, rather than deterring them.The speaker also highlights the stagnant number of Black executives at major companies, despite the proliferation of DEI initiatives.

This suggests that the current approaches may be falling short in creating true, sustainable change.However, the key insight that resonates with me is the observation that the more the right-wing media “freaks out” about DEI, the more progress is likely being made.1 This suggests that the outrage and backlash may be a sign that the status quo is being challenged, and that meaningful change is underway, even if the current DEI programs are imperfect.

As I reflect on this discussion, I’m reminded that progress is often met with resistance, and that the true measure of success may not be the immediate outcomes of DEI initiatives, but the extent to which they are provoking a strong reaction from those who seek to maintain the existing power structures.

The more the right-wing media lashes out, the more I’m inclined to believe that the efforts to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive corporate landscape are having a real impact, even if the path forward is not always clear.

Effenus Henderson