A new study has uncovered some surprising and worrying truths about “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs. According to the study, these initiatives, which are meant to foster inclusivity and fight racism, might actually be making things worse. The research, done by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and Rutgers University, shows that DEI training can actually lead people to become more hostile and even see racism where it doesn’t exist.
Here’s how the study worked: researchers had 324 people read two different sets of material. One group read a simple, neutral text about corn, while the other read the writings of two well-known figures in the DEI world: Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo. After reading the material, all the participants were given a scenario where a student was rejected from college for reasons unrelated to race. Interestingly, the people who had read Kendi and DiAngelo’s writings started to think the rejection was racist, even though there was no evidence to support that.
The study’s authors, including NCRI Chief Science Officer Joel Finkelstein, say this result is troubling. “When people are exposed to these ideas, they become hostile,” Finkelstein explained. “They see racism even when it’s not there.” But it gets even more alarming. Those who were exposed to the DEI content didn’t just feel resentment—they also wanted to punish those they believed were guilty of racism, even if no real injustice had occurred.
So, why does this matter? DEI programs are becoming more and more common. According to a 2023 Pew Research report, over half of U.S. workers have taken some form of DEI training. These programs are being implemented in schools, workplaces, and universities across the country, with institutions spending around $8 billion a year on them. But the NCRI study raises serious questions about whether these programs are achieving their intended goals. Instead of bringing people together, they might be dividing them further, making them more suspicious of each other, and fostering unnecessary conflict.
What’s even more disturbing is how major media outlets like the New York Times and Bloomberg handled the study. In the past, both publications had widely reported on NCRI’s work. But when this new study came out, both outlets acted strangely. The New York Times suddenly demanded that the study undergo a peer review process, even though it had never required this for similar research from the same institute. At Bloomberg, the story was completely squashed by an editor known for supporting DEI. This raises the question: why would these respected news organizations try to suppress such an important study?
The suppression of this research is even more troubling when you consider how DEI programs are often built on untested ideas or unverified self-reports. A 2021 study found that some DEI initiatives may not only fail to reduce prejudice, but they might actually make things worse, leading to more resentment and a sense of unfairness. The NCRI study seems to confirm this, suggesting that rather than fostering inclusion, DEI programs might actually be deepening divides between people.
But the most concerning part might not just be the study itself—it’s the way it’s being hidden from the public. With media outlets like the New York Times and Bloomberg refusing to cover this important research, it raises bigger questions about the role of the media in shaping public opinion. When trusted news organizations choose to withhold stories that challenge certain narratives, it erodes trust in the media and institutions.
In a time when many people are already questioning the information they receive, the suppression of this study shows just how powerful media and corporate interests can be in controlling the narrative. And if DEI programs are truly making things worse, it’s crucial that people are allowed to know the truth.
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