Online criticism mounts as Secretary Anthony Blinken appoints Zakiya Carr Johnson as new diversity chief

WASHINGTON, DC: In a move aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the State Department, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appointed Zakiya Carr Johnson as the new Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO).

The announcement, made on Tuesday, April 2, fills a position that had remained vacant for ten months.

A vision for inclusive diplomacy

“American diplomacy can only succeed if it fully harnesses all of the talent that our nation has to offer. That is why I created the position of CDIO to elevate DEIA within our organization and give it the dedicated senior-level attention that it deserves,” Blinken said in a statement.

“Over the past three years, the Department of State has made significant progress on this front but there remains work to be done,” he continued. “We will continue to pursue this mission aggressively because recruiting, nurturing, and promoting the most capable workforce possible is critical to our national security.”

Zakiya Carr Johnson, with a rich background in shaping gender and racial equity policy, steps into her new position, drawing from her roles as the founder of Odara Solutions and co-founder of the Black Women Disrupt Initiative.

Additionally, her tenure as a senior adviser and director of the Race, Ethnicity, and Social Inclusion Unit in the State Department, coupled with her role as co-chair for the White House Inter-Agency Committee on Gender-Based Violence Monitoring and Evaluation, further bolsters her credentials, per The Hill.

“Her previous work promoting entrepreneurship and access to opportunity for underrepresented populations, as well as her commitment to inclusive leadership, make us stronger, smarter, and more innovative,” Blinken said.

However, Johnson's appointment comes amid a backdrop of increased scrutiny and limitations on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The recent disbandment of the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the proliferation of legislative efforts to restrict or regulate DEI initiatives underscore the challenges ahead.

Blinken, however, remains resolute in his commitment to DEI.

“When the people making decisions on behalf of the American people don’t reflect the full diversity of our nation, we all lose, and our national security is weaker,” he said. “Together, we will ensure the United States is best positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly complex world.”

Social media backlash

Despite Blinken's efforts, the appointment has sparked controversy, particularly on social media platforms. Critics have argued against what they perceive as preferential treatment based on race, gender, or sexual orientation.

"A 'DEI Officer'? A blatantly racist and sexist position in our government that we’re paying for? This is ridiculous. Definitely one of the first positions to be removed when Trump is sworn in," one user posted on X.

"We should go back to hiring people based off of their skills, qualifications, and experience instead of their race, gender, and sexual preferences," another insisted. [sic]

"Can’t wait for this department to be abolished," someone else commented.

"Bring back common sense," another chimed in.

Addressing internal concerns

Concerns persist within the State Department regarding retention issues, especially among women and minorities at the mid-level.

Representatives from various employee organizations underscore ongoing challenges such as assignment restrictions and the lack of representation of certain communities in senior diplomatic positions.

“We disproportionately see women and minorities leaving,” one senior official told NBC News on the condition of anonymity. “Not in high numbers, but they add up over time and they harm our pipeline.”

In response to the appointment, Carr Johnson expressed her commitment to addressing historic inequalities and modern challenges within the workforce. "We stand more determined than ever to address both historic inequalities and new challenges in order to strengthen our modern workforce," she stated.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.