In a political twist that could upend conventional narratives, a new AP-NORC poll shows that minorities are increasingly questioning the effectiveness—and even the fairness—of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The survey, conducted in mid-July among 1,437 U.S. adults, found that Black and Hispanic respondents were more likely than white respondents to say DEI efforts are causing more discrimination, not less.
The poll’s findings challenge the assumption that these initiatives automatically benefit the communities they claim to help. While DEI has long been championed by corporate boards, academic institutions, and federal agencies—especially during the Biden-Harris administration—the actual perception of these programs among minority Americans is growing more critical.
What the Numbers Say
According to the data, about four in ten Black respondents and one-third of Hispanic respondents believe that DEI programs have increased discrimination against Black people. In contrast, only about a quarter of white adults said the same. A similar divide appeared regarding perceptions of discrimination against Hispanics, showing a near-equal skepticism across racial lines.
Perhaps most telling is that less than half of all Americans believe DEI programs genuinely benefit the groups they target. About a third said DEI makes no difference, and roughly 25% said it actively causes more harm than good. When broken down by political affiliation, most of the DEI support came from white Democrats, while white independents and Republicans were far less likely to believe DEI helps minorities.
A Trend in Decline
This growing doubt coincides with a drop in perceptions of racial discrimination overall. Back in 2021, 60% of Americans believed Black people faced high levels of discrimination. That number has dropped 15 points to just 45% today. The same trend is seen for Asians—perceived discrimination fell from 45% in 2021 to 32% in the current poll.
These changes may be the result of backlash against what many see as overreach. Under the Biden administration, DEI became a federal obsession, with taxpayer dollars funding programs in agencies, universities, and major companies. But since the return of the Trump administration, those programs are now being rapidly dismantled, often cheered on by a public tired of identity-based politics.
From Boardrooms to Classrooms
Universities like the University of Michigan have faced campus protests after pulling back on DEI initiatives. Students have taken to the streets, but they’re not all protesting against the cuts—some are questioning whether DEI ever delivered the inclusion it promised.
This isn’t just a battle of perception. As legal and cultural challenges to DEI mount, especially in states pushing anti-discrimination laws that bar race-based hiring or admissions, the very foundation of these programs is under legal and moral scrutiny.
The Road Ahead
The left has long insisted that DEI is a moral imperative. But as these poll results show, many minorities no longer see themselves as winners in the DEI experiment. That’s a political liability for Democrats—and a potential turning point in the national conversation.
In a political climate where race-based policies are becoming a flashpoint, the fact that minority groups are voicing concern over their unintended consequences may mark the beginning of a major course correction in how America approaches diversity—not through quotas and checkboxes, but through equality under the law.