These are scary times.
I’m not impossibly naive enough to believe that progress on social issues, like diversity, equity and inclusion, will always move steadily upward, and that any gains that are realized will be maintained.
The truth is, human nature is often an ugly thing. People can be very tribal, protective of their own friends and family, and suspicious and outright hostile of anyone outside their comfort zone or anything unfamiliar.
It’s why our planet is constantly at war, people hurl insults at one another, and why those in disenfranchised groups are hesitant to step forward and speak up. It’s no fun, and often dangerous, having a target on your back.
The ascendancy of U.S. President Donald Trump to a second term in power, and his immediate attack on DEI initiatives, transgender rights, and anything that his rabid followers deem as “woke” is impacting more than just American government policy.
The pendulum that swung in the wake of the George Floyd murder by a white police officer in 2020, that “awoke” many citizens and corporations, is now swinging back. Corporations are rapidly shutting DEI initiatives that they put in place, and are backing away from efforts to help level what is an obviously uneven playing field.
We are starting to see evidence of the same trend in Canada. And it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Already, groups like Accelerate Auto that were established to help spark a long overdue conversation in Canada’s auto sector about the lack of opportunities for Black talent are feeling the chill.
At the Accelerate Auto partner luncheon in January, one backer of the association told me in a private conversation that it’s getting harder for organizations to support DEI programs.
As a not-for-profit association, Accelerate Auto has done an incredible job building a network of high profile partners, with banks, OEMs, media partners, government agencies and others. Among other things, it has launched mentorship programs, and staged youth events and activities that expose young Black students to leaders in automotive. Perhaps most importantly, it assembled a network of Black leaders from automotive who work together to shape the association’s goals and direction.
It will be interesting to watch in the days ahead if the association can continue to keep those partnerships intact, and add to them, in a climate where corporations are running from anything that goes against the current political winds. In a climate like this, where integrity is overshadowed by concerns over shareholder risk, we will see who continues to do the right things for the right reasons.
As one of the founders of Accelerate Auto, I’ve had the privilege of having many real, and in-depth conversations from Black professionals working in our industry. For many, the experience has not been a pretty picture. Apart from the outright bigotry they face from some, there are more insidious and passive forms of discrimination and alienation, that are depriving them of the access and confidence they need to move ahead and achieve the levels of success they have earned. Please do me a favour and Google, “microaggression.”
The association itself remains publicly positive and forward-looking, and with the recent hiring of Shannon Miller, a highly-skilled and experienced professional, the mostly volunteer-run organization is poised for an even brighter future.
So, let me get to my point here.
Whether you work for an OEM, a dealership, an industry supplier or a government agency working in automotive, it’s very possible that your organization’s public commitment to DEI programs or industry groups might be moving backwards. Maybe even backwards to the 1950s backwards.
You, however, can still be the “I” in DEI. In your day-to-day dealings with your customers and colleagues and community, you can be the one to open doors, create opportunities for those who don’t look like you, challenge those who make inappropriate jokes or comments, and generally be a braver person.
Make no mistake, the pendulum will swing back. The long arc of history proves that. When it does, and we reach equilibrium, you will be proud that you were on the right side of history.
