by Barry A. Liebling
It is certainly good news that the DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) movement that has been trashing the clean individualist spirit of America and pushing racialist, tribal collectivism is in decline. Even before the 2024 presidential election a sizable number of large businesses have publicly backed out of DEI programs. In 2025 with a new federal administration a large swath of government DEI initiatives have been closed down, and an increasing number of private companies are turning away from the woke theme.
Businesses that are backing out of DEI are not all doing so for the same reasons. As I have previously explained, some are managed by conformists who will support any policy that is currently in vogue. When DEI was the latest fashion they were all in. If DEI becomes popular again they will follow the herd. Some executives are feigning a retreat from DEI. They intend to keep the same racialist policies but rename them. For example many of these pretenders are now pushing “belonging” – which is DEI in another bottle.
And it is encouraging that some business leaders are ditching DEI for the right reasons. They achieved intellectual insight and realize that DEI – by any name – is the wrong way to go. https://www.alertmindpublishing.com/data/2025-columns/dei-retreat-what-it-means-2025-feb/
Of course, a cadre of the largest most-famous enterprises that have been leading the DEI epidemic will not budge. They are loudly proclaiming they will stick with their sacred values. They say that regardless of government pressure or what other companies do they will continue to act according to the woke playbook.
Ellie Gardey Holmes of The American Spectator has documented some of the most egregious cases of corrupt corporate policies. Ms Holmes’ disapproval is spot on, and she is calling for responsible citizens to file lawsuits against the bad actors. https://spectator.org/companies-responding-dei-backlash-with-more-dei/
Let’s review where the cultural conflict stands, and how much the outlook has improved. For at least 10 years the leftist ruling class has been mostly successful in dictating what is acceptable to say and do in the business world. Anyone defying the progressive clerisy risked being cancelled and smeared as a “racist, sexist, homophobic, fascist.” The DEI cabal no longer has this power. Now it is socially acceptable to challenge and reject the woke agenda. When good people are enabled to present their sound arguments they are likely (not guarantied) to prevail.
What should be done about major business enterprises that persist with the DEI agenda? Of course, the best action is to engage the bosses and explain why collectivism is always wrong. If top executives reconsider their positions they may understand that they were mistaken, and they can correct their errors.
Of course there is a sizable segment of top business leaders (in concert with government officials, academics, members of the media, and the entertainment industry) that cannot be persuaded to think correctly. After pondering and discussing the issue they embrace collectivism and stubbornly insist that the world consists of oppressed groups (good people who deserve deference and prizes) that are permanently at war with oppressors who ought to be ashamed of themselves (American, straight white males are the worst).
Note that DEI true believers have an emotional investment in their position. They yearn for a malevolent world where multiple insular tribes of humans are permanently hostile to one another. They see themselves as heroically punishing people designated as irredeemable oppressors.
And, conversely, those who reject DEI desire a world where – despite inevitable conflicts – people have a chance to act properly and get along with one another.
Consider the case where an enterprise digs in and and says “we believe in DEI and will continue our woke policies.” What are the appropriate responses? You could decide to refrain from doing business with it. And you could explain why you are shunning the firm. Suppose you need specific high technology services and every company that provides it is managed by woke enthusiasts. You can gauge which one is the least committed to leftist progressivism in selecting your supplier.
Bad actors cannot be completely extinguished. There will always be businesses that are run by DEI enthusiasts. The number of firms that embrace racialist collectivism may decline (and should), but they will never fully disappear. A free society has to tolerate private businesses with tainted policies (so long as they do not violate anyone’s natural rights). This is parallel to the principle of free speech where people should be permitted to say things that are abhorrent. Good speech is the remedy to obnoxious tainted messaging. And firms that are conspicuously managed ethically will out-perform businesses that are corrupted by racialism.
Here is a message to business professionals who understand that DEI is fatally flawed and rational individualism is the right path. You can have a positive impact if you act properly and lead by example.
*** See other entries at AlertMindPublishing.com in “Monthly Columns.” ***