Interactive White Paper

Men and DEI at a Crossroads

Shifting Gender Norms for Holistic Equity

The humen behind the privileges

On the ongoing dialogue surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the role of gender is often cast in binary terms, with men frequently positioned as a monolithic privileged group.

This oversimplified narrative not only fails to capture the complexities of gender dynamics but also risks alienating men from critical conversations about equity and justice.

As we navigate the intersection of DEI and gender, it's imperative to acknowledge the nuanced experiences and perspectives of all individuals, including men.

Inclusion means everyone.

Introduction

A Precarious Standoff

Men and DEI find themselves at a crossroads, facing a dilemma where inclusion efforts simultaneously call for their engagement and perpetuate their vilification. This context creates a precarious standoff where the pressing issues facing men, particularly those marginalized by intersecting identities, are often sidelined or dismissed.

Consequently, the pursuit of genuine equity and inclusion remains elusive as long as gender dynamics are oversimplified and adversarial.

Paper Structure

Part 1: What is happening

Part 2: Why does it matter

Part 3: What to do about it

Part 1: What is happening?

1.1 Trump’s election and the #metoo movement: turning points in gender dynamics.

In the year following the Trump election in November 2016, the #metoo movement

  • "You can grab them by the p****" Donald Trump

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  • Alyssa Milano

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  • Harvey Weinsten

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  • Jeffrey Epstein

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  • Bill Cosby

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  • R. Kelly

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  • Sean Diddy Combs

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1.2 The Polarization of the Masculinity Conversation

From James Damore to Elon Musk: a cascading of dissonant male voices towards DEI and what is referred as “woke culture” gained tremendous attention online.

The Gilette ad controversy

Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Maybe you want to launch a business.

Depp v Heard.

Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.

1.3 Men at the center of grievances and DEI push back

From James Damore to Elon Musk: a cascading of dissonant male voices towards DEI and what is referred as “woke culture” gained tremendous attention online.

  • Google Memo on "Ideological Echo Chamber" (2017)

    James Damore is a former Google engineer fired for writing a controversial memo suggesting biological differences between men and women might explain gender disparities in the tech industry.

    JAMES DAMORE INTERVIEW ON CNBC (11 MIN)

  • Peterson's viral interview on UK's Channel 4 (2018)

    Clinical psychologist and professor Jordan B Peterson visited Channel 4 News and had a debate on the gender pay gap, campus protests and postmodernism.

    JORDAN V PETERSON INTERVIEW ON CHANNEL (30 min)

  • Ricky Gervais's Golden Globe Monologue (2020)

    Stand up comedian Ricky Gervais criticized 'woke' Hollywood and sharply called put Apple, Disney, and Amazon in a scathing Golden Globes monologue.

    RICKY GERVAIS GOLDEN GLOBE MONOLOGUE (8 MIN)

  • Dave Chappelle's Trans Jokes on The Closer (2021)

    Dave Chappelle faced mounting criticism in recent years for targeting transgender people with his jokes. The backlash intensified following the release of Netflix special, "The Closer," in which he reaffirmed his stance.

    CNBC SEGMENT ON THE CLOSER BACKLASH (4 MIN)

  • "DEI Must Die." Elon Musk on X (2023)

    Tech billionaire Elon Musk took to his social media platform, X, to declare that "DEI must DIE," saying, "The point was to end discrimination, not replace it with different discrimination."

    ELON MUSK INTERVIEW ON DEI (11 MIN)

  • DEI initiatives are "mostly garbage" (2024)

    On a Daily Show segment, Charlamagne tha God told viewers DEI is 'well-intentioned but mostly garbage' and brands diversity training 'bullsh*t'

    THE DAILY SHOW SEGMENT ON DEI (7MIN)

1.4 The politicization of DEI transcends race and gender

Political affiliation and race are prominent drivers of polarization in perceptions toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the workplace.

However, it is also noteworthy that there is a discernible gender divide, with women generally showing higher support for DEI initiatives compared to men, contributing to nuanced dynamics within the broader landscape of DEI sentiment.

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1.5 Younger men and women are drifting apart, politically

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Part 2: Why does it matter?

2.1 The Rise of Extreme masculinist figures

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Part 3: What can we do about it?