How an identity-obsessed monster threatens to unravel the West 
About two centuries ago the US could have been described as a melting pot where the oppressed masses could find common ground and breathe freely. Fast-forward to the present day and that same nation finds itself entangled in identity politics, where the notion of diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, has become a blunt instrument wielded to demolish meritocracy and fracture society along newly made fault lines.
How did this alarming evolution occur? The seeds of this transformation were sown when the well-intentioned foundation of environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, investing was hijacked. What began as a noble effort to align finance with conscience was twisted into something sinister. A toxic mindset emerged from the shadows, one that prioritized group identification over individual merit, resentment over reconciliation, and optics over results.
This ideology, nurtured within the ESG framework, has hatched a monster known as the DEI movement. This movement threatens to unravel Western society itself, replacing the ideal of a colorblind meritocracy with a nightmare of perpetual animosity and division.
Initially, ESG was a commendable endeavor. Socially conscious investing aimed to reward businesses that treated their employees well, reduced their environmental impact, and maintained ethical governance standards. However, as it gained traction, institutional investors saw an opportunity to not just do good but also appear virtuous. This led to a focus on policy writing, metrics development, and a self-congratulatory cycle, paving the way for DEI’s insidious rise.
A natural outgrowth of ESG’s social pillar, DEI pledged to advance workplace equality. But in practice, it morphed into a quest for equal outcomes, regardless of individual ability or merit. The result has been a system where identity reigns supreme.
This is not progress but regression, a return to the tribalism of our ancestors, where your worth was dictated by the accident of your birth, not the content of your character. It is a caste system in all but name, condemning the “oppressors” to perpetual guilt and trapping the “oppressed” in victimhood.
Ironically, in its misguided pursuit of equality, DEI has birthed new forms of discrimination. It has transformed workplaces into minefields where every interaction is fraught with the potential for offense. Creativity and innovation are stifled as individuals self-censor for fear of saying the “wrong” thing. The absurdity of the situation is highlighted by companies hiring diversity consultants who specialize in promoting divisiveness.
What began as a noble effort to align finance with conscience was twisted into something sinister.
Perhaps most insidious of all is DEI’s dystopian language, where “diversity” becomes a code word for ideological conformity, “equity” a euphemism for reverse discrimination, and “inclusion” a tool for excluding anyone who dares to challenge the orthodoxy.
The proponents of DEI portray themselves as social justice warriors, but in reality they are architects of a new kind of division — of the spirit and intellect. They are the purveyors of a philosophy that pits us against each other instead of uniting us through our shared humanity.
We must reject this false gospel. It is time to reclaim the true meanings of diversity, equity and inclusion — as principles that genuinely bring people together, not as weapons of division. It is time to build a society where everyone, regardless of their membership in any arbitrary group, has the opportunity to thrive. It is time to judge individuals by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Only then can we truly realize the ideal of a just and equitable society.
Beyond the West, what about the rest of the world? How will non-Western countries navigate the pressure to conform to these manufactured DEI standards? Will they succumb to this new orthodoxy or resist the siren song of Western wokeness?
Resistance could have dire consequences. Some Western nations, drunk on their own moral superiority, may attempt to ostracize these countries from the international community, withholding loans, investments, and diplomatic relations. They might even resort to trade and travel bans, effectively isolating those who defy their ideological dictates.
Such actions would be a grave mistake, not just for the targeted nations but for the world as a whole. They would further inflame tensions, deepen divisions, and sever cultural ties. They would undermine the very principles of international cooperation that have underpinned global stability for decades, hindering economic prosperity and social progress.
• Abdulelah S. Al-Nahari is a business and MarCom partner at a marketing solutions firm and leads strategic growth initiatives in line with Saudi Arabia’s digital-first vision. He has multi-sector awareness, strategic digital foresight and a range of industry experience.
