What we must do now or see diversity, equity and inclusion policies wither and die.
The distortion and corruption of politics, importing the ideological zeal of the religious right and late converts of crusading politicians, and our homegrown xenophobia towards different cultures, has pushed the door open for companies to backpedal on DEI. What starts as a trickle, like the reported withdrawal of some of the UK’s biggest businesses from their public support for Pride celebrations, can become a flood.
Whether it is the older generation, resistant to change, who look back to a golden era of ‘being British’ that disintegrates on close examination; or a generational cycle of blaming others when there’s an economic downturn; or the opportunist charlatans who act as influencers to the ‘man in the street’ – yes, it’s most often the man – adding homophobia and misogyny to the pyre. What was whispered in the margins has been amplified and is backed by the rich and powerful, the tech-bros and crypto-kings.
A surge in Reform councils sees the removal of the Rainbow flag, yet acting as champions of the Union Jack and English flag to be strung up on lampposts – not as an act of patriotism nor pride in the nation, but as an aggressive act with flags sited deliberately to promote fear and division. When they promise to abolish DEI local council jobs ignorant of the fact many such posts don’t exist, lost after years of austerity.
Rather than stand firm to defend DEI, it is by complicity or non-compliance of business and political leaders that DEI is chiselled away. Some look to stay clear of controversy, under the misconception that hiding behind a perceived majority view will protect their market share of products and services, or votes. Others may hold the same views, or simply see cutting DEI as reducing costs and bureaucracy. The cheap headlines of councils “abolishing Christmas”, young people as a “snowflake generation” and outright racism, stoke the fires of civil discord and corporate greed.
Yet in all our glory our society is and has always been a melting pot of beliefs, faiths and cultures. There is not one set of values fixed in time, rather ideas and social norms are reset and framed by each generation. Some changes evolve, others may be thrust on us, causing disquiet or alarm to swathes of the population. The reality is that over half of us are discriminated by gender and misogyny, faith groups are under attack, racism prevails, and hate is stirred up by sexuality, and when a new language of how we define ourselves is misunderstood or warped.
This is when business and politicians need to step up to the plate, not step down their DEI commitments. The biggest challenge for businesses is less short term profits and more about creating and sustaining a close knit society for better connected services and an everyday economy in which we all can prosper. When creativity, innovation and human kindness is needed to trump an over reliance on AI, to grow the economy and replace the corporate greed of a handful of billionaires. This requires compassion, understanding, tolerance and a willingness to celebrate our differences, and to break down the barriers which discriminate or promote division.
Our world order is designed by men and our history dominated by the make perspective, leaving half the population invisible or patronised in the way we do business. DEI lifts the curtain on other form of discrimination to help create a culture of understanding. Done well DEI supports an inclusive workforce which reflects and values the communities served. Done better it grows a customer base and electorate that truly represents our society as we are now and that we want to become. We must act now to dig deep to embed DEI, protected against the populist tide.
Citadel 