By Brenda E Johnson
As we engage in discussions about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Affirmative Action, it is evident that these policies were designed to level the playing field in a world where discrimination has long been institutionalized. However, in 2025, it seems that these safeguards are being dismantled to benefit mediocre white men, restricting access to opportunities for women of color and other marginalized groups.
Racism today appears to be acknowledged only when white men deem it relevant. The prevailing narrative now suggests that white men and women are the true victims of discrimination, with some even arguing they should qualify for reparations. Meanwhile, historical injustices like the promise of 40 acres and a mule remain unfulfilled. Either systemic discrimination exists, justifying the need for DEI and Affirmative Action, or it does not—but it cannot be selectively recognized to benefit white individuals alone.
Affirmative Action was introduced to foster fairness, especially in hiring and education. Consider this: Black women are statistically the most educated demographic in the United States (National Center for Education Statistics, 2019). Yet, despite their qualifications, representation in high-level positions across industries remains scarce. If they are the most qualified, why aren’t they dominating their respective fields? This underscores why Affirmative Action was necessary—without it, Black women and other women of color face insurmountable barriers to career advancement.
The reality is that for women of color to be considered for jobs in the U.S., they must be over-educated, over-experienced, and overqualified—yet they are still overlooked. A study by Harvard revealed that employers were more likely to hire a white man with a felony than a highly qualified Black man with a clean record. This is a glaring example of systemic racism and the justification for Affirmative Action. (Pager, Devah, “The Mark of a Criminal Record,” American Journal of Sociology, 2003)
Unfortunately, the recent rollback of DEI and Affirmative Action, coupled with the push to position white individuals as victims of discrimination, is a calculated effort to erase the progress made in diversity and representation. This is not about coddling women and people of color—it is about protecting the privilege and entitlement of white men. When a white man is clearly unqualified for a job, yet believes he should have been chosen, it is not meritocracy at play but rather the fragility of an ego shaped by systemic advantage.
The removal of these safeguards allows those in power to exclude women of color from leadership roles, ensuring that they never rise to positions of authority. This explains the relentless attacks on figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, a Berkeley and Howard graduate with a Juris Doctorate, former Attorney General, U.S. Senator, Vice President, and presidential candidate. Her qualifications should be beyond dispute, yet she is continually undermined because her rise to power disrupts the status quo.
They never want to see a person as qualified as Kamala Harris ever be president again. So please listen to me—it is the abortion of the educated women of color before she has become. This is how they are telling predominantly white institutions (PWIs) that they no longer have to accept people of color and that they will no longer fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), therefore aborting the educated women of color before she can become.
The dismantling of DEI and Affirmative Action is not about fairness—it is about maintaining a system that favors the privileged at the expense of the marginalized. Until this is recognized and addressed, the struggle for equality will persist.
