The Missing Element in DEI: A Curriculum
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was never meant to be a target, and, in some cases, fail. At its core, DEI was designed to ensure that no one is discriminated against based on race, gender, or background. It was meant to create a society where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. However, the reason DEI has struggled—and in many cases, failed—is that it never had a standardized curriculum.
A subject as sensitive and essential as DEI required a structured, objective, and educational foundation to keep it focused on human justice rather than the justice of any particular group, race, or political ideology. Without a clear curriculum and guiding framework, DEI has been hijacked—twisted from its original purpose into something often unrecognizable.
How DEI Was Hijacked
What does it mean that DEI has been hijacked?
- A Personal Agenda Took Over a Collective Mission
DEI was created to prevent discrimination and create a more inclusive world—not to push individual narratives. But without accountability or a formal governing body, many saw DEI as an opportunity to promote personal grievances rather than collective solutions. - No Accreditation, No Accountability
Unlike medicine, law, or education, DEI had no strong or unified-enough accreditation or standardized oversight. This meant that anyone could claim to be a DEI expert—even if they were using it as a platform for personal or political gain. Without an official governing body or certification process, DEI became a free-for-all of perspectives, some constructive, others harmful. - From Inclusion to Division
Ironically, a movement designed to bring people together began to divide them. Rather than fostering civility and appreciation for all backgrounds, some have used DEI to promote exclusion under the guise of inclusion—turning DEI into a battleground rather than a bridge.
The Solution: Civility & A Standardized DEI Curriculum
DEI should not be abandoned, but it must be restructured around one core principle: Civility.
- Civility ensures that DEI remains about respect, appreciation, and collective human progress.
- Civility prevents DEI from being used as a personal or political weapon.
- Civility ensures that DEI is about humanity as a whole—not one group over another.
Even if we renamed DEI, this kind of issue I am describing would happen again unless we create rails, boundaries, and structure to the topic. I propose that DEI must have an official curriculum review to ensure:
✅ An objective, research-based approach to inclusivity
✅ A focus on civility and universal human dignity
✅ Accountability for DEI trainers and organizations
The DEI Problem Is Like the “Life Coach” Dilemma
Today, anyone can call themselves a life coach—but what separates a credible coach from an unqualified one? Accountability. The same applies to DEI. Without accountability, DEI can be whatever someone wants it to be. That’s dangerous.
Unified and Objective Accreditation matters. Not just for credibility, but for quality control. If DEI professionals were held to a consistent and noble standard—one based on true inclusivity and respect—we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Let’s Not Throw Away DEI—Let’s Fix It
Some are calling for the complete removal of DEI, but that would be a mistake. There are clearly good aspects of DEI, but accountability and standardization are missing.
Rather than abandoning DEI, we should demand that it return to its original purpose—ensuring fairness and inclusion for all without bias, division, or personal agendas.
What Comes Next?
✅ A standardized DEI curriculum rooted in civility
✅ Accreditation and accountability for DEI professionals
✅ A return to DEI’s core mission: ensuring opportunity for all
I’m completely fine with “re-branding” and even a renaming of “DEI”, but I simply propose we be on the same page on how we got here in the first place. The goal isn’t to dismantle DEI—it’s to ensure that DEI serves everyone fairly, with integrity, and without bias. If we can do that, DEI can succeed where it has previously failed.
🔹 What are your thoughts? Should DEI have a standardized curriculum? Let’s discuss in the comments.
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