July 15th 2023.
The Republican Party has recently been ramping up its opposition to affirmative action. To this end, 13 Republican attorney generals, led by Tennessee's Jonathan Skrmetti and Kansas' Kris Koback, have formed a coalition and sent a letter to the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies. This letter, which reads in part: "We, the undersigned Attorneys General of 13 States, write to remind you of your obligations as an employer under federal and state law to refrain from discriminating on the basis of race, whether under the label of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or otherwise," was likely an attempt to anticipate any legal challenges that may arise from diversity and inclusion practices.
Despite the court's ruling, EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows reaffirmed the right of businesses to implement DEI initiatives in their employment practices. Despite this, conservative organizations like the National Center for Public Policy Research have taken a strong stance against such initiatives, and have even gone so far as to file a lawsuit against Starbucks.
These developments follow the resignation or forced removal of several Black women from DEI leadership positions in Hollywood, a trend that does not bode well for the future of DEI in the workplace. Pew Research surveys have revealed a somewhat contradictory attitude among American workers towards DEI initiatives. While 56% of American workers believe that DEI is a good thing in theory, only 30% actually prioritize its implementation in the workplace. Furthermore, political affiliation also plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards DEI initiatives, as Republicans tend to dissent from such efforts.
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