> “Indeed, rather than increasing diversity in the workplace, these DEI initiatives are having the opposite effect and are being advanced in ways that proactive

> “Indeed, rather than increasing diversity in the workplace, these DEI initiatives are having the opposite effect and are being advanced in ways that proactively encourage discrimination in the workplace,” [Gardner Pate] said. Agreed, 100%. As a black person, I used to believe in diversity initiatives back when I was naïve enough to believe they were really about true diversity (i.e., diversity of thought, background, etc.). Over the years though, my own experiences have taught me that it’s mostly a hustle and/or virtue-signaling tool for a lot of folks in the diversity movement. Ironically, I consistently get shut down by the same individuals who claim to care about diversity simply because my views don’t align with theirs. More importantly, I never ever want my race to be a part of why I’m considered for a role or opportunity. I like to earn my spot. Hire me because I’m a great software engineer first, not because I happen to be black. The entire concept of equity, in particular, is actually insulting to me. I just want equal opportunity. If I make it, I make it; if I don’t, I work harder. Equity is telling me that I need my hands held because I’m black — how insulting!