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‘Racist and gross’: DEI boss faces Senate probe over article on to ‘decenter whiteness’ in the workplace

November 24, 2023 | | Print Article

A diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) consulting firm is facing a U.S. Senate Investigation after the firm’s boss wrote a “racist” article for Forbes.

The drama began to unfold last month when Janice Gassam Asare, the founder of BWG Business Solutions, penned an article for Forbes originally titled “Three Ways to Decenter Whiteness in Workplace Systems.”

Presumably because of backlash, the article has since been retitled “3 Ways To Transform Your Workplace To Be More Equitable,” though its racially tinged content remains the same.

(Source: Forbes)

“White-centering can be thought of as a system that prioritizes white dominant culture to the detriment of non-white groups and cultures. White-centering has been given many names including the white gaze and whiteness as the default. Because white-centering is often left unexamined and unchecked, equity and justice have continued to evade organizations,” the first paragraph of the piece reads.

“The ways that whiteness is centered in the workplace are endless. Given the pervasiveness of this issue, what can be done to start the process of actively decentering whiteness in the workplace?” the piece continues.

It goes on to explain how companies can “decenter” so-called “whiteness.”

Now fast-forward to Wednesday, Nov. 22nd, when Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance noticed the article and responded by condemning it on X.

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“I’m just done with this sh-t. It’s racist and it’s gross. Forbes should be ashamed of themselves for publishing it,” he tweeted.

“The author is a ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ consultant. I’ve directed my staff to investigate whether her ‘business’ receives any public money from Ohio,” he added.

Look:

Vance was not the only one to respond negatively to the article. So did plenty of other high-profile figures, including commentator Mollie Hemingway and GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

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Look:

As for Asare, she responded to Vance’s complaints by issuing a statement to Fox News.

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“I would say this: It’s obvious that the senator has no idea what decentering whiteness actually means and how it’s about the system of whiteness and not one white person or white people,” she said.

“I expound on what decentering whiteness in the workplace means in my book of the same name, which I’m happy to send to the senator or to anyone else that is confused,” she added.

She seemed incapable of understanding why anyone would perceive her article about “whiteness” as racist.

Dovetailing back to Vance, he’s now facing some criticism from those who allege that his investigation into Asare is “fascistic” in nature and that, surprise, surprise, all Republicans are racists who hate black people.

Look:

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All this comes as DEI is slowly but surely being phased out because of public backlash.

“Years after the death of George Floyd shined a spotlight on societal inequities, diversity professionals say some companies are turning their backs on the progress that’s been made to address them,” ABC News reported in July.

“Madison Butler is one of the many diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals that companies previously brought on their payroll to ensure their business is equitable and accessible for people of all backgrounds. But in recent months, Butler said she has found it increasingly hard to find work — and she’s not alone,” ABC News added.

Vivek Saxena
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