As we approach Memorial Day, I’m sitting with a lot of mixed emotions — and I imagine many of you are too.
Memorial Day has long been a solemn and important day of remembrance. It’s a time to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who served and died in the United States Armed Forces.
That service, that commitment, is deserving of our deepest respect. I want to make that absolutely clear.But alongside that respect comes a frustration — a frustration with the political system that sometimes uses patriotism as a shield, rather than a compass. It’s tough to reconcile honoring the people who gave everything for this country while watching political leaders chip away at the values and freedoms those service members believed they were protecting.
This year also marks five years since the death of George Floyd — a moment that shook the nation and sparked a wave of calls for justice, equity, and understanding. We saw real momentum.
We saw conversations that had long been buried come to the forefront. Businesses, schools, and even the government began to take Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) seriously.
For the first time in a long time, there seemed to be a collective acknowledgment of the systemic challenges facing people of color in this country.
But five years later, that progress feels fragile. Across the country, DEI initiatives are being rolled back. DEI officers are being let go. Books are being banned. Honest conversations about race and equity are being silenced in the name of political convenience.So what are we left with?We’re left with a day that reminds us of sacrifice. A day that asks us to reflect.
But also a day that challenges us to be better — to build a country where the values we honor aren’t just symbolic, but truly lived out.I believe in the importance of DEI — not just as a political stance, but as a framework for understanding. DEI helps us recognize bias. It helps us hire fairly. It helps us support communities that have long been overlooked or outright harmed.
And at its best, DEI invites us to learn — to listen — to grow. That shouldn’t be controversial.On this episode, I invite you to reflect with me. Let’s talk about the tension between honoring our past and being honest about our present.
Let’s remember those who served with dignity.
Let’s hold space for people of color still fighting to be seen and heard. And let’s ask the tough questions about where we go from here.I’d love to hear your thoughts. Whether you agree, disagree, or fall somewhere in between — let’s have that conversation.
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