DEI Under Fire: How You Can Advocate for DEI Amid Pushback

Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and policies have become commonplace at corporations across the United States. They help companies create inclusive and welcoming environments by ensuring that all voices and backgrounds are included at the table. However, in recent years there has been a rise in pushback against these initiatives, leaving many people with two questions: why is this happening? And how can I help advocate for DEI in my workplace? 

Why Corporations are Rolling Back DEI Initiatives
Post-pandemic, we live in an increasingly polarized society. Business leaders like Elon Musk have pushed back against DEI initiatives this year. In an X (formerly Twitter) post, Musk stated, “DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it.”  By using his platform to push for the rollback and ostracization of DEI, he has further thrust this movement into the spotlight. 

Most notably, Tractor Supply Company issued a press release in January 2024 announcing the reduction of its DEI initiatives. Two promised actions stood out to many: eliminating current DEI-related roles and retiring its current DEI goals. However, the company noted that it still plans to cultivate a respectful environment. 

Even in Grand Valley State University’s own backyard, DEI faces rapid rollbacks. In 2023, the conservative group Ottawa Impact won the majority of board seats in the county and consequently made sweeping changes, including shuttering the DEI office. 

These movements focused on rolling back DEI initiatives and loud criticism from business leaders are the direct result of an increasingly polarized post-pandemic America, where DEI is a dirty word. 

Advocating for DEI
As PR practitioners and communicators of tomorrow, understanding how to advocate for DEI or traditionally marginalized groups is crucial. From influencer relations to internal communications, DEI is necessary to cultivate total inclusivity and create the fairest outcomes.

Advocating for DEI can be difficult to approach, especially in the political climate of the United States today. One way to defend DEI within your company or organization is with data. Since at least 2018, Forbes has championed diversity as a strength in the workplace. Diversity is vastly credited with strengthening teams by inviting different perspectives, ways of thinking, and ideas. 

Reframing DEI as an asset for businesses is another effective way to champion its cause. When individuals feel included, this can have a positive impact on culture, increasing retention rates and inclusion. Working alongside diverse groups of people helps promote this inclusive environment.

It’s important to identify and empower others within the organization who can advocate for DEI and influence their peers. DEI practices don't always mimic formal training or workshops; sometimes you have to start small. It can look like having a Pride flag on your desk, celebrating heritage months, or shouting out coworkers who might be left out. DEI is not just about race, gender, or sexual orientation; it’s about creating an environment where all feel welcome. 

DEI in Everyday Life
While this blog mainly focuses on DEI within the workplace, advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion doesn’t stop when you clock out for the day; it extends beyond the workplace into everyday interactions and environments.

Correcting the misuse of pronouns in the classroom and actively elevating marginalized voices are simple, yet essential practices that foster inclusivity. We all have unintentional bias, and confronting that bias to create a more inclusive space is crucial in the world of Public Relations and Integrated Communication. By promoting and championing these values, we can all work to create a more welcoming and inclusive society, from the workplace to the classroom to everyday life. 

Ana Zapata is a senior studying Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Writing. Ana is currently serving as the Chief Operations Officer of GrandPR. This summer Ana is working as a Marketing Intern for SalesPage Technologies. She is also the current Marketing Intern for the GVSU Department of Statistics. Ana’s passions lie within research, writing, and all things DEI.