What I Wish DEI Critics Understood About People Like Me

Your resistance to inclusion isn’t neutral. It’s deeply personal and painful.

When you attack DEI, you are attacking me. Image was generated by the author on Canva.

Dear DEI Critics,

When you say you don’t believe in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I wonder if you’ve ever really met someone like me.

I don’t mean casually — like standing behind me in line or nodding hello in church. I mean truly seen me. Spoken to me. Heard my story. Had any significant or meaningful interactions. Laughed with me. Loved with me. Been blessed by me. Because if you had, I don’t think you would be so quick to mock what DEI stands for, or to fight so hard against efforts that simply try to make space for people who don’t fit your version of “normal.”

I’m not asking for special treatment. I’m asking for something much more radical in this climate: fairness and access to the same positive assumptions, opportunities, comfortable spaces, and grace that other people enjoy.

You Think It’s Politics. I Feel It in My Bones.

For you, this might be an issue of ideology or political preference. For me, it’s my everyday life.

You see “DEI” and think of corporate trainings or college admissions. I see my body on an exam table…