Either help us or change yourself, but get out of our way

As a DEI practitioner, I often remind people that we are not here for a long time, but a good time. I use that statement to remind people that you can either help us make a fair and just society, you can change your problematic behavior whenever DEI is mentioned or a good training is employed, or you can simply get out of our way. No matter the choice you make, this work will get done. DEI is not a new phenomenon or mindless framework that appeared in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd and the continued killing of unarmed Black people. The sector of DEI is more than a buzzword, it is the intention and act to make change in the world for those who have been stripped of the opportunity to do so based on where they live, income, and identities. DEI advocates, practitioners and supporters aim to create a fair and just society, to think beyond self, to create safe communities and strong villages with access to quality education, law enforcement, government, health care, grocery stores, agriculture, farming, environmental, roads, transportation, religious spaces, housing, etc. This is the historical and current work of leaders known and...