Equity Under Siege: The Case for Urgency and Resolve

by Patrice Lumumba Jones, Co-Founder, Enlight Media 

Credit: Midjourney

Opponents of DEI, and equity specifically, have been emboldened and energized by the political winds of the moment. Their rhetoric, energized with new confidence seeps even into formerly safe spaces like LinkedIn and even quarterly town hall meetings—places where, not long ago, there was a louder, more collective cry for justice. This bravado stands in stark contrast to the reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd, or even the cautious optimism many felt in the weeks before the election.  

But let us be clear: Their confidence is not born of fact. It is not the product of some grand shift in public attitudes about equity or inclusion. No, this is merely an ill-timed victory dance rooted in a failure to understand history and a gross underestimation of the resolve of those of us who fight for a fairer, more just world.  

It is not enough to hope that justice will win out. This moment requires decisive action. And so first, we must confront a hard truth: The pushback against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is not simply political theater, nor is it a passing storm. It is a deliberate effort to maintain systems that deny dignity and opportunity to those who have long been excluded. This is the struggle we face—not just as DEI professionals, but as people who believe in fairness, equity, and the possibility of a better world.  

Understand this: The attacks on DEI are not attacks on a phrase or a program. They are attacks on the very idea that marginalized people deserve a seat at the table. When critics label DEI as divisive or dismiss it as unnecessary, they are not merely opposing a strategy—they are opposing the belief that every person has a right to belong, to thrive, to be treated with respect. It is not a critique of process; it is a rejection of purpose.  

Some will say this is overstated. But we must not be naïve. The loudest voices in this opposition are not fighting for a better version of equity. They are not merely fighting to keep the barriers intact; they are working tirelessly to erect new walls that fortify mechanisms of injustice.  Not all opposition arrives with open confrontation. Sometimes, it slips in quietly, embedded in small, seemingly innocuous changes—a delayed initiative here, a defunded program there, a subtle shift in language that dilutes meaning and impact. And even more discouraging is the fact that at times these efforts will come from those who consider themselves allies. These actions must also be challenged.  

History tells us this much: Those who resist progress will not rest. And neither can we. DEI advocates and the leaders of purpose-driven organizations must treat their work as though it is the last lifeline for equity and justice—because, in some cases, it may well be. Every program, every initiative, must be pursued with the urgency of this moment. There is no time for half-measures or surface-level efforts.  

This moment requires vigilance and courage—bold, uncompromising leadership that declares, without hesitation, that DEI is worth fighting for. It is not just an obligation; it is a necessity. In this moment, when the voices of resistance are loud, those who believe in equity must be louder still. They must affirm, in words and in action, that they will not be deterred, diluted, or defeated.  

This is not a new struggle. It is part of the same fight that has been waged for generations—the fight to expand the boundaries of fairness, to bring more people into the circle of opportunity, to insist that every life has value. And while it is exhausting to face the same resistance dressed in new disguises, we must remember, this is the work that makes a better future possible.  

So, to those who lead DEI efforts and those who support them, let this be a call to action. Treat your work as sacred. Treat your commitments as unbreakable. Stand firm in the face of resistance and declare, boldly and without apology, that DEI is not just a program or a buzzword. It is a promise—a promise of fairness, of equity, of a world where everyone can thrive. Let us honor that promise with all the strength and determination we can muster. Let us fight—not just for the progress we’ve made, but for the future we know is possible and the justice that demands our unwavering resolve.