What is DEI, anyway?

“DEI” stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It’s a framework many organizations (businesses, schools, non‑profits, governments) use to structure efforts around fairness, representation, and belonging for all people, especially those from historically underrepresented or marginalized groups.

Here’s what each term typically means:

• Diversity: The presence of differences within a group. That could be differences in race, gender, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, veteran status, culture, etc.

• Equity: Not just treating everyone the same, but ensuring fair treatment, opportunities, and outcomes by recognizing and adjusting for inequities and disadvantages some groups face. It often means allocating resources or support differently so that everyone can reach a more equal outcome.

• Inclusion: Creating an environment or culture where people feel welcomed, respected, and valued. Ensuring that diverse individuals are actually able to participate fully, have voice, and their differences are embraced.

Sometimes people expand the acronym (DEIB, IDEA, etc.) to explicitly include belonging, accessibility, or justice.

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Think of DEI as three big ideas schools, jobs, and the government try to use to make things fairer for everyone — especially people who’ve been left out or treated unfairly in the past.

Let’s break it down:

1. Diversity = Who's in the Room?

It means there are lots of different kinds of people together. Different skin colors, languages, religions, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, and even hairstyles!

🧠 Example: At Suitland High School, your classmates might be Black, Latino, Ethiopian, Ghanaian, white, biracial — and speak English, Spanish, Amharic, or French. That’s diversity.

2. Equity = Who Needs Extra Help to Succeed?

Fair doesn't always mean everyone gets the same. Sometimes it means someone gets what they need to catch up.

🧠 Example: Let’s say two students want to play basketball:

• One has brand-new Jordans and plays AAU ball.

• The other has worn-out shoes and no ride to practice.

Equity means helping the second student — maybe with new shoes or a ride — so they both have a real shot.

3. Inclusion = Do They Feel Welcomed?

It’s not enough just to be there — you want people to feel like they belong and matter.

🧠 Example: If your school has an LGBTQ+ club, a Black Student Union, or a group for first-generation college kids — that’s inclusion. It says, “We see you. You belong here.”

🎯 What Was DEI's Purpose?

DEI was created to fix problems from the past when people were treated unfairly because of race, gender, or where they came from.

🧠 In the DMV area, it tried to make things better by:

• Hiring more teachers who look like the students

• Giving small Black-owned businesses in Oxon Hill or Capitol Heights more chances to win contracts

• Making sure kids with disabilities get what they need to succeed

• Making sure girls in STEM programs get as much support as the boys

🛑 So Why Are People Rolling It Back?

Some people don’t like DEI anymore. Here’s why — explained with real-life examples:

1. “It’s not fair to everyone else.”

Some people think DEI helps certain groups too much — like only helping Black businesses or women get jobs — and they feel left out.

🧠 Example: A person who’s white or male might say, "Why can’t I get that scholarship just because I’m not from a minority group?”

2. “It’s too political.”

Some think DEI is too ‘woke’ — like it’s pushing ideas about race or gender they don’t agree with. They want schools and jobs to stay neutral.

🧠 Example: Some parents in PG County or Virginia might say, "I don’t want my kid learning about race or gender stuff — just teach math and reading.”

3. “We’re getting sued!”

Some schools and companies worry that DEI programs are breaking the law — i.e. providing people with jobs or spots in college just because of their race.

🧠 Example: After: After the Supreme Court said colleges can’t use race in admissions, schools like UMD or Howard had to change how they pick students.

4. “It costs too much.”

Some companies are trying to save money, and they say DEI programs are too expensive and hard to measure.

🧠 Example: If a store in Forestville had a DEI officer but had to do layoffs, they might say, “Let’s cut DEI first — we don’t see the results.”

💥 So What Happens When DEI Gets Rolled Back?

• Fewer Black or Brown folks in leadership

• Less help for people with disabilities or language barriers

• Schools or companies may look more diverse but feel less welcoming

• People feel like they’re being told to just deal with it

🧠 Real Talk in PG County:

• You might notice fewer internships for young Black students

• Black-owned shops don’t get the same visibility or support

• There’s less space for talking about what’s really going on at work or school

🗣️ But Why Should We Care?

Because DEI is about making the game fair, not rigged.

It’s about giving everyone a chance — not just saying, “Pull yourself up,” when some people didn’t even get shoes.

🧠 If we stop helping people who’ve been locked out, we risk going backward.

And in places like Charles & Prince George’s County, where culture and Black excellence are strong — we don’t want to erase the progress made.