How Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Encourages Anti-Semitism—and Racism

When Tabia Lee was hired as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at a California community college, she was excited at the opportunity to defend the goals and values that had animated her career in education until then. She realized something was deeply wrong when she—an African American—was accused by a colleague of “whitespeaking, whitesplaining, and supporting white supremacy” for suggesting a plan to make meetings more effective. Another unpleasant surprise came after meeting with Jewish students, who approached her with fairly modest requests. When Lee relayed the requests to her superiors, she was told of an unwritten policy of ignoring them on the grounds that “Jews are white oppressors.”