Courage and DEI
“I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions.” ― Lillian Hellman
Lillian Hellman, American playwright and known Communist, said this at the House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings in the 1950s. Having been blacklisted for not signing the loyalty oath, she stayed steadfast in her belief system. She supported communism, Stalin, the Soviet Union, and was a member of the Communist Party for a few years.
In the pre-World War II years, communism was growing in popularity in the United States, especially in Hollywood. People were searching for an alternative after a brutal First World War and a devastating economic depression. Hellman was one of these “Fellow Travelers” and did not change her position because she was under pressure. She would not change her position simply because Communism was no longer popular and the federal government was pressuring Hollywood to name names.
I do not support communism or brutal dictatorships, but I do support and respect those who will not change their position because it is more convenient or more comfortable. If something is important, and you believe in it, then you should live your principles. This takes the Courage of your Convictions.
Understandably, there is a great deal of concern and even fear in the nonprofit community regarding the current Administration’s Executive Order on DEI programs and policies. Based on the text from the order, President Trump believes that DEI policies are in direct conflict with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you saw my blog article of January 30, 2025: “Dear President Trump: A Letter about DEI and the Greatness of America,” you know that I pointed out his misunderstanding of DEI. Where we see diversity and inclusion, he sees discrimination and quotas.
While I applaud anyone who supports the Civil Rights Act of 1964, I cannot support someone using this important law to argue that DEI equals discrimination. It is why I will not change the language I use in any of my writing nor will I encourage others to change their language. This seems to be the action that nonprofits are taking, even if they do not receive federal funding. There is fear of “making our organization a target” or of losing support.
But if we, as the nonprofit community, support and embrace all the benefits of DEI, then why are we willing to back down and change our speech? We should emphasize it and make sure we explain why it is a good policy. Cutting our conscience to fit this season’s fashion will only diminish our standing and influence. With additional fear that 501c organizations will be targeted as sources of tax revenue, we need to make the case for our unique contributions to protect our status – we serve a special role in society by making the world a better place. That is why we should be tax-exempt. The business case is not the case that will set us apart; it’s the case that will tear us down and lead to the demise of the 501c status. If we look like for-profits and talk like for-profits, then we will be treated like for-profits.
As a community, we need to find the courage of our convictions to support DEI and champion it – just like our ASAE Standards of Conduct directs us to do. This is why we exist – to support those who need it. Right now we need to help ourselves by committing to DEI and not changing the language out of fear.
Franklin Roosevelt, former President of the United States, said it best: “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
Courage is needed when things are difficult, not when things are easy. Talking about principles is one thing, but courage supports the actions that support our principles. We must find the courage to support DEI.
