Twitter/X Comment About Baltimore Mayor Shows How Racists Now Use ‘DEI’ Instead Of The N-Word

In the aftermath of the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse, Mayor Brandon M. Scott addressed the tragedy (he referred to it as “unthinkable”) and urged folks to pray for the impacted families. Instead of praising his leadership during this difficult time, one X/Twitter user made a post about Scott that went viral for its horrid racist undertones.

“This is Baltimore’s DEI mayor commenting on the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge,” the user wrote alongside a clip of Scott speaking. “It’s going to get so, so much worse. Prepare accordingly.”

The post was immediately fact checked and even came with an advisory.

“Brandon Scott was elected as Mayor of Baltimore in 2020 with > 70% of the vote,” the advisory reads. “He did not come in to office through any DEI practices, appointments, etc.” This isn’t the first instance of a racist swapping out the N-word with “DEI”—but it certainly is one of the most brazen.

It’s no secret that racism fuels conservatives’ hatred of certain concepts such as “woke,” “critical race theory” and “diversity, equity and inclusion.” In their minds, there is no way that someone of color — specifically a Black person —could ever be qualified to hold any position of power.

Since the Supreme Court abolished affirmative action admissions policies in colleges and universities last year, the attack on racial equity — spearheaded by bigots like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — has infinitely sharpened.

Republican lawmakers have backed countless bills reversing DEI efforts in both educational and professional settings, insisting that it serves as reverse discrimination to white people.

Of course, Black people clocked the backlash to diversity practices way before the Supreme Court ruling. Currently, “DEI” is trending on X/Twitter as Black folks crack jokes about it being a dog-whistle for a much more derogatory slur.