TAMPA, Fla. — Words can be powerful.
Words like diversity. Equity. Inclusion.
Erik Smith is founder of Inclusivity LLC. He has spent more than a decade advising companies on what DEI looks like.
“Diversity was, 'Let’s get some more folks into our businesses, into our organizations, even into our schools,'” said Smith. “Inclusion came after that, with the idea of, 'Let’s ensure we include their perspective and they’re being listened to.' Equity came a bit after in terms of, 'No one voice is louder than another.'"
It’s not a totally new concept. Just think of affirmative action.
Former USF Professor Dr. Dana Thompson-Dorsey previously taught Critical Race Theory courses to doctoral students.
“It’s basically a form of programming to bring about fairness and justice to those who have been historically discriminated against,” Thompson-Dorsey said.
The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020 really brought the issue to the forefront.
Big companies like Target, Walmart, Lowes, McDonald’s and Ford Motor Company went public with a commitment to address racial inequality and create an inclusive environment.
“They were highlighting, featuring and actually creating programs they never had,” said Thompson-Dorsey.
Some called DEI a movement. Smith called it an extended moment. Two years after Floyd’s death, there was a change in tone.
“The thoughts around, ‘Is this really beneficial for me and my company? I’m tired of feeling like I’m the bad guy in this process,’” Smith said.
Florida was one of the first states to enact two laws to eliminate DEI. Republican state Rep. Berny Jacques said it was time to get back to equality of opportunity.
“When you treat people fairly, you treat people with equality. You’re going to get an organic diversity,” said Jacques.
He voted for the House version of Florida Senate Bill 266. The new law cut state funding for college majors and activities that promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Not long after launching the DEI initiatives, many of those same companies started scaling back programs.
That continued on a federal level when President Donald Trump was elected.
Smith keeps a storyboard of pictures, reflecting on the overall status of DEI from year to year.
“This last image, although it’s from a conference from years ago, is where we are right now,” Smith said. “We’re trying to figure out how to thrive, and the house is on fire and we’re divided.”
He said the country is divided over three words.
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.
Some experts believe it’s cyclical. While the name DEI may go away eventually, experts said the call to action could come back.
