Dear Readers,
The language we use matters, more so today than at any time I can recall. At Insight Into Diversity, it definitely matters to us. Our mission is rooted in the words “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” which have long been beacons of welcoming and opportunity in higher education, industry, and beyond.
Higher education is in a season of rebranding.— many public institutions have been forced to reframe, or worse, eliminate any trace of allegiance to DEI ideals as “anti-woke” legislation ripples across their states. Examples have poured out of colleges and universities in Florida, Texas, Utah, and other states where new laws have not only systematically removed the names of once-inclusive spaces, programs, and policies, but banned the work from being done at all.
To be frank, those changes came as little surprise, and ultimately those institutions were given no choice.
In states where support is threatened with proposed legislation in the works, or is less restricted than others, colleges have been rebranding their offices and support systems with alternative words, such as “belonging,” “people,” and “community.” Despite ever-increasing external pressures, these institutions are still choosing words commensurate with their commitment to the underlying principles of DEI.
Not all of the name changes have had a negative connotation. In fact, sometimes new words can have a positive impact. New Jersey’s Rowan University recently made a meaningful change simply by renaming their Disability Services Office to the Office of Accessibility Services, communicating a more inclusive sense of welcoming and opening the way for all who would benefit from individualized support to reach out and ask for it.
But the recent announcement by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the primary national trade group for human resource professionals, that they would be eliminating the word equity from their longtime DEI commitment — reducing their focus to just inclusion and diversity.— was nothing less than shocking. I’m not alone; the overwhelming response from HR professionals has been dismay and unease.
The language SHRM used in their announcement about the change doubled down on the damage this will do long-term: “By emphasizing Inclusion-first, we aim to address the current shortcomings of DE&I programs, which have led to societal backlash and increasing polarization.”
Despite their claim that “equity will be integrated under the broader Inclusion framework, continuing to be a priority in our strategy and leadership decisions,” this renaming is not just a word change — it’s a principles change.
Equity is at the heart of human resources work. The Academy to Innovate Human Resources explains: “Equity in the workplace is about offering all (candidates and) employees the same opportunities while taking into account their individual needs for specific support or resources and their intersectionality.” In fact, Executive order 11246 is the basis for equity in hiring, and any disregard or non-adherence can threaten ongoing status as a government contractor.
To cave to societal pressures by removing equity from the core of their mission, and then framing it as a “brave decision,” actually signals a weakening resolve and significant move away from SHRM’s core values. It is disempowering and waves a white flag to other organizations who are struggling to hold firm to the DEI principles that ensure equitable outcomes for their stakeholders.
While we at Insight Into Diversity are disappointed in their decision, we want to reassure our readers that we have no intention of following suit. We will not remove “diversity” from our name. We will not relent in our commitment to equity and our mission to amplify and advance the best practices in DEI. We will continue to recognize the colleges and universities whose outstanding efforts have enhanced the success and representation of marginalized groups. Our principles remain steadfast.
If you find your resolve wavering, reach out. We’re here. And we’re not going anywhere.
Katy Abrams
