Trending: DEI Retreat in 2024
Americans’ perceptions of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are changing, with some growing skepticism about how the term is being used to advance certain political agendas. While the majority of Americans believe that everyone should have an equal chance at success, there is a concern about the divisive nature of some DEI programs that may be causing more harm than good in workplaces and communities.
According to recent polls by Pew Research, there has been a slight shift in how workers view DEI in the workplace. In 2024, 21% of respondents viewed DEI negatively, up from 16% in the previous year. The number of those who viewed DEI positively also decreased, down to 52% from 56% in 2023. While other polls show slightly higher support for DEI initiatives, there is overall evidence that some Americans are becoming more wary of these programs as they see large corporations and academia pulling back from DEI efforts.
Several trends can help explain this shift away from DEI:
1) After the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate racial preferences in elite colleges’ admissions, there has been a mixed impact on racial minorities. Early reports from various schools have shown varying degrees of change in racial minority enrollment, with some schools seeing declines while others experienced no significant shifts. At schools like Yale and Princeton, Black student enrollment remained stable, while Hispanic student enrollment increased in some cases. This data suggests that eliminating affirmative action may not have as drastic an effect as some feared.
2) Recent court rulings struck down board diversity rules proposed by NASDAQ and the SEC that aimed to increase racial and gender diversity in corporate boards. Advocates for personal privacy and fair evaluation opposed these rules, and the court agreed that the requirements were not connected to the intended goals.
3) Donors, outraged by incidents of antisemitism and violence on college campuses, have started to use their financial influence to push for change in higher education institutions. Many donors have withheld funding to signal their disapproval of how some universities handle issues of bigotry and hate speech. In response to public pressure, college administrations have been forced to address these concerns and make changes.
4) There is a noticeable shift in the legislative landscape, with several states passing laws to eliminate DEI positions and programming in publicly funded colleges and universities. States like Florida, Texas, and Utah have taken steps to remove DEI initiatives from higher education institutions, with more states expected to follow suit in the future. Additionally, state attorneys general have called for race-neutral admissions policies in law schools, following the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action.
These trends indicate a changing attitude towards DEI programs and initiatives, with more Americans questioning their effectiveness and impact on workplaces and society. It will be interesting to see how this evolving landscape shapes the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States.
