I often hear claims that DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts “create more division.” As a therapist and social worker, I need to ask: How is inclusivity, division? To include opposes division. Inclusion is a factual antonym of the word exclusion, thus if we’re doing the opposite of excluding we’re bringing together and including. This rhetoric that inclusion efforts create division, serves as a convenient way for people to avoid discomfort, hold onto privilege, and justify resistance to change.

Let’s get real—what’s happening here is discomfort. For some, DEI efforts challenge deeply ingrained beliefs about how the world works and their place in it. For others, it’s fear of losing resources or power they never had to work for. However, rather than name that fear, there’s an attempt to spin a dangerous web of language to convince people that equity and inclusivity are harmful. This is gaslighting, plain and simple.

The Gaslighting of Equity Efforts

When people say DEI divides us, it’s like an abuser telling their victim, “Your reaction to my harm is the real problem.” This kind of gaslighting works to silence those speaking out and derail efforts toward equity. It’s cunning because it preys on the newness of these efforts and the vulnerabilities within them. DEI isn’t perfect—it’s still finding its footing in a world resistant to change—but to suggest that inclusion itself is harmful is a manipulative and dangerous lie.

This narrative does real harm. It plants seeds of doubt in people who are still learning about DEI and struggling to find their role as allies. It also provides a rallying cry for those who are already resistant, giving them the validation they need to dismantle equity efforts. Worse, it discourages marginalized people, making them question the value of their fight for fairness.

Internalized Isms: The Legacy of Inequity

The idea that “inclusivity is division” taps into something deeper—internalized isms like racism, sexism, and colourism. These beliefs didn’t come out of thin air, nor were they natural, they were carefully cultivated over generations through systemic inequities and propaganda designed to divide and conquer—and conquer they did.

For years, these narratives created hierarchies that pitted marginalized communities against each other while maintaining the status quo. The push for inclusivity challenges these long-standing dynamics, and that’s exactly why it’s so uncomfortable for some. This isn’t division—it’s growth, and growth is messy, but it’s also necessary.

Therapy, Mental Health, and Social Justice

You might wonder why a therapist is writing about this. What does DEI have to do with mental health? The answer is: everything. As a social worker, I practice under the anti-oppressive tenets of my profession. Social justice is not separate from mental health—it’s integral to it.

Systemic oppression, bias, and inequity take a profound toll on people’s mental health. They cause stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma, particularly for those who live at the intersections of marginalized identities. When people are denied access to resources, opportunities, and fair treatment, it impacts their sense of self-worth and belonging. As a therapist, I see these effects every day, and I can’t stay silent about the systems that perpetuate them.

Addressing mental health means addressing the systems and structures that harm it. This is why DEI matters—not just in workplaces or schools, but everywhere. Equity and inclusivity aren’t just policies; they’re ways to create environments where everyone can thrive, mentally, emotionally, and relationally.

Why Inclusivity is NOT Division

The reality is that inclusivity and equity are about repairing historical and systemic harm. They’re not about taking something from anyone—they’re about ensuring everyone has what they need to succeed.

When we frame inclusivity as division, we validate fear and resistance instead of fostering growth. Opinions influence biases, and biases influence actions. The narrative that DEI divides, encourages people to reject these efforts before they’ve even had a chance to succeed. Ask anyone working in a system that’s trying to implement equity policies, and they’ll tell you: it’s an uphill battle. Policies alone don’t create change—practice does.

Here’s the truth: equity doesn’t take away from anyone. It simply acknowledges that people start from different places. Inclusivity doesn’t divide—it bridges gaps that have existed for far too long.

We need to unmask and reject the narrative that DEI creates division. Instead, let’s focus on what it truly is: a movement toward fairness, accountability, and connection.

For those who feel discomfort, I encourage you to sit with it. Ask yourself: Why does equity feel threatening? What can I learn about my own biases and fears? How can I use that knowledge to grow?

For those fighting for equity, know this: your voice matters. Change is slow, and opposition is loud, but every step forward counts. Keep speaking out, advocating, and pushing for systems that truly reflect the values of fairness and inclusion.

Together, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive—not at the expense of others, but alongside them.