Initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) were designed to level the playing field and provide opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. However, when we step back and look at the data, white women were the group that profited the most. They gained access to educational and employment opportunities at an unprecedented rate. Although white women benefited the most in terms of numbers, Black communities were significantly more affected by DEI.

This is because creating an opportunity for an equally, if not more, deserving and qualified Black person changed more than just one life, but paved the way for generations to come. These jobs were revolutionary for Black professionals, changing family paths and ending cycles of structural marginalization. They weren't merely stepping stones to something else. Whole family legacies could be changed by a single leadership opportunity, a single acceptance letter, or a single promotion.

The truth is, while white women benefitted from DEI, their economic and social positioning meant that, for many, these opportunities were optional rather than essential. Many white women were not and still do not serve as their families' main breadwinners. In the past, many of them either used these jobs as leverage for even more profitable possibilities or worked only until they were married to a man who could adequately provide for them and their family. Their access to power was and still still is largely tied to white men, and their political and economic interests reflect that reality.

Voting trends are where this alignment is most noticeable. White women have often voted against policies that would have improved racial justice in favor of maintaining a system that places a higher priority on their relationship with white male authority. Where we view this as voting against their best interests, it is not. They cast their votes against our shared interests, not against their own.

Conversely, Black people have continuously put in the most effort and received the fewest benefits. We have fought for justice, equity, and progress, only for our so-called “allies” to reap the primary benefits. I don't want to imply that all white women or white people for that matter are bad, but we need to be careful and selective about who we call an ally. Being an ally is has to be more than simply reaping the rewards of the fight; it means actively destroying the structures that sustain injustice. And this is not to speak to their motives and intentions, as many of these women would argue that they have good intentions. But just because someone has good intentions, does not guarantee positive outcomes. Even the most well intentioned actions can lead to harm. Remember, that the road to destruction is often paved with good intentions.

Black Communities' Mental Health Toll

Black communities' mental health is significantly impacted by the never-ending cycle of struggling for progress only to have its advantages dispersed or reversed. Stress, worry, and disappointment are brought on by the psychological weight of systematic injustices as well as the weariness of navigating a society that undervalues Black knowledge and labor.

This emotional and mental stress shows up in a number of ways:

• Racial battle fatigue, the exhaustion from constantly experiencing and witnessing racism, discrimination, and microaggressions.
• Imposter syndrome, where Black professionals may feel they have to prove themselves constantly, despite being equally or more qualified than their white counterparts.
• Generational trauma, as the fight for equity is not new but rather a continuation of centuries-long struggles that weigh heavily on Black families.
• Hopelessness and burnout, as many Black professionals feel they must work twice as hard for half the recognition, leading to emotional and physical exhaustion.

Black Counselors' Contribution to Empowerment and Healing

Black mental health providers are essential in assisting people and communities in processing, recovering, and planning in the face of these obstacles. In addition to acknowledging the realities of systemic oppression, Black counselors offer culturally competent care that gives clients the skills they need to deal with and overcome these stressors.

Black counselors assist by: 

• Establishing judgment-free environments where Black clients can freely communicate their sorrow, disappointments, and anxieties.
• Offering therapeutic approaches to treat mental health issues linked to stress and racial trauma.
• Promoting social and workplace reforms that shield Black workers from racial injustice and discrimination.
• Giving Black people coping mechanisms that validate their experiences and foster resilience.
• To combat emotions of loneliness and hopelessness, promote self-care, community healing, and group efforts.

Going Ahead

The repercussions are evident when we observe the rollback of DEI efforts. Our "progress" was never as safe as we believed. Black people will be the ones who suffer the most from this retreat, even as the same white women who previously benefited from workplace diversity initiatives and affirmative action may be forced back into traditional positions. With policies shifting to favor nationalism and xenophobia, white women may be relegated to the kitchen and the bedroom once more, but Black people? We run the danger of being forced back into the fields.

This moment requires vigilance. Neither romanticizing allyship nor assuming that shared marginalization equates to shared struggle are acceptable. Our ability to clearly and strategically navigate these shifting waves has always been essential to our existence. As we proceed, we must make sure that our communities are safeguarded, that our mental health is given first priority, and that the next battle for equity focuses on those who need it the most, not simply those who stand to gain the most.