DEI Conference
Building DEIB Momentum Amid the War Against DEI
Session Description:
After George Floyd’s 2020 murder, public and private agencies invested in DEIB personnel and programs. Dual pandemics, one – a virus, the other – vitriol, created wider societal divisions. The progress toward open dialogue about prejudice in the USA gave way to “reverse discrimination” claims and legislative bans against historical truth-telling, bodily autonomy, and critical thinking. Simultaneously, hate crimes against Asian Americans rose significantly. Hate-driven violence also increased against LGBTQIA+ people, Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans. Public, private, and academic institutions saw their DEIB programs face layoffs, program cuts, and slashed budgets. Some have taken an “eyes down, don’t-focus-on-the-problem” approach to this trend. In a Pro-Equity, Anti-Racist state, we are obligated to acknowledge and speak truth and mobilize against common threats to equity. This session will look at narrative and statistical evidence of “anti-DEIB” efforts combined with data about hate-motivated actions. Through media and case studies, we will explore how anti-DEIB efforts have succeeded, while simultaneously exploring “bright spots,” DEIB models that have shown sustainability and success. We will discuss best practice tools for building DEIB momentum; and share self and community care approaches in this emotionally taxing work.
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- Anti-DEIB efforts are increasing, gaining traction, and becoming institutionalized through both legislation and public opinion.
- Hate motivated attacked on people from historically and currently marginalized groups, continue to increase.
- We must recognize that Washington may not be immune to this trend. We are challenged to be proactive and strategic, advance and imbed DEIB principles and practices, and take care of ourselves and one another.
- There are programs that have survived and thrived amid the opposition. What can we learn from them.
- We are the best experts on what constitutes self care and community care as we continue to engage in emotionally laborious work.
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Ways to watch:
Live stream on June 5, 2024
Recording available for replay July 1 through August 31
Additional Materials
Guest Speakers
Marianne K. Ozmun-Wells
Equity and Inclusion Administrator for the Washington State Department of Licensing
Marianne K. Ozmun-Wells is the Equity and Inclusion Administrator for the Washington State Department of Licensing. She has worked for Washington state for 22 years in DEI and Communications roles. Marianne is a lifelong learner who continually aspires to be a better anti-racism activator, cultural connector, and historical truth-teller. She lives in Olympia with her wife of 30 years. The new empty-nesters frequent the Palouse region to visit their 19-year-old daughter, a wildlife ecology major, at WSU. Go Cougs!
